Background of Rujm el-Hiri
- Location and Structure:
- Situated in the Golan Heights, also called the Wheel of Ghosts or the Levantine Stonehenge.
- Dates back up to 5,000 years.
- Comprises a central cairn, concentric circles of basalt stones, and radial walls.
Key Insights from the Study
- Geodynamic Movements:
- Over 150 million years, geodynamic shifts (8–15 mm per year) reoriented Rujm el-Hiri’s structure.
- This challenges its long-held identification as an astronomical observatory.
- Misalignment with Celestial Patterns:
- Original alignments of walls and entrances do not correspond with celestial patterns (e.g., solstices, equinoxes) as previously believed.
- Research Techniques Used:
- Geomagnetic analysis, tectonic reconstruction, and remote sensing.
- Comprehensive mapping of archaeological landscapes within a 30-kilometer radius of the Sea of Galilee.
Findings
- Astronomical Function Reassessed:
- The site’s current orientation is inconsistent with celestial observations from 2500–3500 BCE.
- New Hypotheses on Purpose:
- Site may have served agricultural, herding, or communal purposes rather than as an observatory.
- Surrounding circular structures and burial mounds suggest multifunctional use (e.g., storage, dwellings, or shelters).
Popular Theories on its Purpose
- Astronomical Observatory:
- A 1998 study suggested alignment with solstices, equinoxes, Sirius, and other celestial bodies in the Bronze Age.
- Defensive Fort:
- Proposed as a defensive structure.
- Burial Site:
- Believed to mark the burial of a significant leader or political figure.
- Ceremonial Use:
- Parallels drawn with similar circular labyrinths (e.g., in Crete) suggest ritual or ceremonial purposes.
Mapping and Analysis
- Key Features Identified:
- Circular structures (40–90 meters in diameter).
- Round enclosures (~20 meters in diameter).
- Burial mounds (tumuli) possibly used for various purposes beyond burials.
Research Team & Publication
- Led by Dr. Olga Khabarova and Prof. Lev Eppelbaum (Tel Aviv University), and Dr. Michal Birkenfeld (Ben-Gurion University).
- Published in the journal Remote Sensing.
Reference: SciTech Daily