How lightning strike inspired Neolithic builders to construct the iconic Callanish Stones

Bolt from the blue! How lightning strike inspired Neolithic builders to construct the iconic Callanish Stones on Outer Hebrides island some 5,000 years ago

  • For years the stones erected on the Hebridean Island have remained a mystery 
  • A survey of one stone revealed a star-shaped pattern formed by lightning strikes
  • New technology exposed a pattern covering an area of 20 metres in diameter 

A new study has revealed how a lightening strike inspired Neolithic builders to construct the iconic Callanish Stones some 5,000 years ago. 

New technology unearthed a star-shaped burn mark hidden under peat that gives clues to the history of the stones on the Isle of Lewis.

For thousands of years the stones erected on the Hebridean Island have remained a mystery, with experts unsure of why they were placed there and for what purpose. 

Now archaeologists have uncovered evidence that suggests our Neolithic ancestors were inspired to construct the monuments by lightning strikes.

New technology has revealed a star-shaped burn mark hidden under peat that gives clues to the meaning of the The Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis

A geophysical survey revealed a star-shaped lightning strike in the middle of what seems to have been a circle of standing stones

A geophysical survey revealed a star-shaped lightning strike in the middle of what seems to have been a circle of standing stones

A geophysical survey around one of the stones has revealed a star-shaped pattern formed by one, or potentially more than one, lightning strikes that shook the earth.

New technology has exposed a pattern covering an area of 20 metres in diameter, which was buried until now beneath peat bogs. 

The single stone, within ‘site XI’, is about 2.8km from the famous Callanish great circle in the island’s Loch Roag area.

For thousands of years the stones erected on the Hebridean Island have remained a mystery, with experts unsure of why they were placed there and for what purpose

For thousands of years the stones erected on the Hebridean Island have remained a mystery, with experts unsure of why they were placed there and for what purpose 

The Callanish great circle is thought to have been built in 3,000 BC, around 500 years before Stonehenge (pictured), which is linked with the solstices

The Callanish great circle is thought to have been built in 3,000 BC, around 500 years before Stonehenge (pictured), which is linked with the solstices

Geophysical techniques mapped buried features and the new evidence shows that this 1.5-metre-high stone was originally part of another circle with the lightning strike pattern at its centre. 

CALLANISH STONE CIRCLE IN LEWIS 

The Callanish stone circles can be found on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides archipelago off the coast off Scotland.

It originates from the late Neolithic period 5,000 years ago and has three sets of stone circles – each being within a mile or so of each other.

They predate England’s famous Stonehenge monument, and were an important place for ritual activity for at least 2,000 years.

Experts believe they were used as a pre-historic astronomical observatory. 

Professor Vincent Gaffney, one of the archaeologists told The Guardian: ‘We’re really excited. 

‘This was completely and utterly unexpected. 

‘Seeing the evidence for a massive strike, right in the middle of what now seems to be a stone circle, is remarkable.’ 

He added that a lightning strike could have hit a tree or a rock and may have been ‘part of the game’ in creating the stone circle.

Dr Richard Bates, a geoscientist at St Andrews University, who is leading the project, said the discovery was highly exciting. 

The Callanish great circle is thought to have been built in 3,000 BC, around 500 years before Stonehenge, which is linked with the solstices. 

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT NEOLITHIC BRITAIN?

The Neolithic Revolution was the world’s first verifiable revolution in agriculture.

It began in Britain between about 5000 BC and 4500 BC but spread across Europe from origins in Syria and Iraq between about 11000 BC and 9000 BC.

The period saw the widespread transition of many disparate human cultures from nomadic hunting and gathering practices to ones of farming and building small settlements.

Stonehenge, the most famous prehistoric structure in Europe, possibly the world, was built by Neolithic people, and later added to during the early Bronze Age

Stonehenge, the most famous prehistoric structure in Europe, possibly the world, was built by Neolithic people, and later added to during the early Bronze Age

The revolution was responsible for turning small groups of travellers into settled communities who built villages and towns.

Some cultures used irrigation and made forest clearings to better their farming techniques.

Others stored food for times of hunger, and farming eventually created different roles and divisions of labour in societies as well as trading economies.

In the UK, the period was triggered by a huge migration or folk-movement from across the Channel.

The Neolithic Revolution saw humans in Britain move from groups of nomadic hunter-gatherers to settled communities. Some of the earliest monuments in Britain are Neolithic structures, including Silbury Hill in Wiltshire (pictured)

The Neolithic Revolution saw humans in Britain move from groups of nomadic hunter-gatherers to settled communities. Some of the earliest monuments in Britain are Neolithic structures, including Silbury Hill in Wiltshire (pictured)

Today, prehistoric monuments in the UK span from the time of the Neolithic farmers to the invasion of the Romans in AD 43.

Many of them are looked after by English Heritage and range from standing stones to massive stone circles, and from burial mounds to hillforts.

Stonehenge, the most famous prehistoric structure in Europe, possibly the world, was built by Neolithic people, and later finished during the Bronze Age.

Neolithic structures were typically used for ceremonies, religious feasts and as centres for trade and social gatherings.

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