Standing Stones of Callanish: The Mystery of Scotland’s Ancient Wonder

Standing Stones of Callanish are an arrangement of cruciform pattern with a central stone circle nestled on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, Outer Hebrides. These standing stones of Callanish are one of the most noteworthy and secretive megalithic sites in Europe, on a low ridge above the waters of Loch Roag with the hills of Great Bernera as a backdrop. It is unclear if the stone alignments were built later or concurrently with the circle.

These stones, also known as Clachan Chalanais or Tursachan Chalanais, were built in the late Neolithic period and served as a focal point for Bronze Age rituals. On the west coast of Lewis, they are close to the village of Callanish. According to historians, the stones predate Stonehenge by around 5,000 years. Archaeologists “rediscovered” the site in the 19th century, despite the fact that it had been recognized locally for generations.

Beside this mysterious place, numerous other ritual sites lie within a few kilometers. Several arcs, alignments, single stones, and at least three more circles are among them; numerous may be seen from the main site. The most striking, Callanish II and Callanish III, were once made up of at least eight stone circles and are located slightly over a kilometer southeast of the main Calanais Stones. Although the exact purpose of standing stones of Callanish is not known. However, historians and archaeologists believe it was used to track the lunar cycle and seasonal changes with the alignment of stones. It is implied that Calanais was a center of prehistoric religious activity for at least 1500 years by the presence of other monuments nearby.

Historic Environment Scotland is managing the Standing Stones of Callanish. There are 13 Calanais Stones circle with a monolith near the middle. The tallest stone is about 4.8 meters high at the center, accompanied by a chambered cairn likely used for burials or rituals. Five rows of standing stones connect to this circle. Two long rows of stones running almost parallel to each other from the stone circle to the north-northeast form a kind of avenue.

Furthermore, there are shorter rows of stones to the west-southwest, south, and east-northeast. The stones are all of the same rock type, namely the local Lewisian gneiss. Within the stone circle is a chambered tomb to the east of the central stone. Thus, it is believed that standing stones of Calanish have served as a location for social or religious events, perhaps connected to agricultural or fertility rituals. A chambered cairn suggests that it may have had a religious or burial purpose.

Alexander Thom (a Scottish engineer most famous for his theory of the Megalithic yard) and Gerald Hawkins (an American astronomer) suggested that the stones were built for a prehistoric lunar observatory. Others have proposed a relationship between the stones, the moon, and the Clisham range in Harris.

However, one myth holds that the Calanais Stones were giants who had been petrified and refused to become Christians. The stones were first mentioned in writing by John Morisone, a native of Lewis, who claimed in 1680 that they were men “changed into stone by an inchanter” and placed in a ring “for devotion.” The numerous pottery pieces discovered recommend that the tomb was in use for a number of centuries.

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