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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 November 2011
Abstract (A) Flaws in the methodology applied to the examination of ancient astronomy in the British Isles are discussed. Study of single sites may lead to distorted conclusions. So may dates based on stellar calculations.
(B) It is recommended that groups of related monuments should form the basis of future research. Preliminary analysis of chambered tombs, stone circles and rows suggests there had been a growing interest in astronomy in early prehistory. The Clava Cairn/recumbent stone circle tradition in Scotland and Ireland is used as a model to test this hypothesis.
(C) The accumulating evidence favours the belief that alignments were for ritual rather than for an intellectual investigation of the heavens.
(A) INTRODUCTION “The occurrence of orientation in prehistoric structures has long been noticed. It has not, however, received from investigators much more than a passing comment, such as, ‘the barrow is directed to the eastward’, or, ‘the entrance to the chamber faces the north-west’.” (Somerville, 1923, 193).
Sixty years later Somerville would be less disappointed with the attitudes of archaeologists. He might, however, be disconcerted to find that much of the effort dedicated to archaeo-astronomical research is misdirected, excellent in its scientific approach but fallacious in its interpretations.
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