lecture 6; Stone - Between Life and Death

Question 1

Between 5,000 and 2,500 BCE:

Answer 1

Europe underwent a huge transformation as agro-pastoral cultures spread east to west, reaching Ireland around 4,000 BCE. Particularly impressive is the megalithic tradition of the Atlantic Coast cultures from Portugal to the tip of Scotland and into north Germany. Huge structures of stone and earth were made that served as secondary burial sites, ritual meeting sites and as celestial observations.

Question 2

did Megalithic tradition had more of abstract representations? T/F

Answer 2

true

Question 3

Ireland has two types of soil:

Answer 3

1. One is good for farming
2. One is good for grazing

Question 4

Megalithic Tradition:

Answer 4

Menhir, barrow, portal tomb, tumulus, cursus, alignments, stone circles

Question 5

what is Solstice?

Answer 5

• time or date at which sun reaches its maximum or minimum declination
• it was important for people because it was associated with rebirth of the universe
• It was seen as the moment one can best communicate with the ancestors – a type of temporal portal

Question 6

what is Menhir?

Answer 6

• Large stone standing in the landscape connected with burial practices
• goes through France, Portugal and Ireland
• Bones left over of settlements
• Date was decided for ceremony and everyone brought rocks
• Sizes vary considerably, but their shape usually tapers toward the top

Question 7

what is a Dolmen?

Answer 7

• are portal tombs (2 stones on each side and one on top)
• smaller stone at the back for support
• called portal tomb because it looks like a doorway

Question 8

what is a Cantilever?

Answer 8

architectural word; a long edge supported by something

Question 9

what is Tumulus (hummus)?

Answer 9

• A mound of earth and stones raised over a grave(s)
• Stone structures that have a mound covering
• Also a burial site
• Covered with stone and mud
• Main difference between this and dolmens is the structure
• In newgrange

Question 10

what is a Cursus (plural: cursi)?

Answer 10

Monumental Neolithic Avenue-like construction defined by ditches that crosses the landscape and little stones

Question 11

what is Alignment?

Answer 11

assembly of rocks in rows like a magnet to call ancestors. The more stones = the more magnetic force = more connection

Question 12

Kermario Alignment at Carnac Alignment, France (4,000 – 3,000 BCE):

Answer 12

• Alignment of stones as magnets to call ancestors
• Each stone brought by a clan from far places
• This was not just one clan, but hundreds from all over the local territory doing this for yearly winter meets.
• Alignments of various lengths, along with tombs, mounds and circles
• The stones were mainly painted in red
• Red is associated with life and death
• Images on them
• Drawings on stones = liminal device
• Liminal: in between; moving in between space

Question 13

Newgrange, Ireland:

Answer 13

• early morning winter solstice
• Associated with rebirthing of the universe

Question 14

Stonehenge (3,000- 2,400 BCE):

Answer 14

• Interaction zone between living spirits and living people
• Trilithon
• Sarsen ring
• Orientation shifted over time by a few degrees
• It is not a monumental thing, it is an ancestor thing
• it was not built all at once, but in phases
• finally, a new group of people took over and they built the stone interior and change its alignment to match the sun.