=
×

Julian Cope presents Head Heritage

Head To Head
Log In
Register
The Modern Antiquarian Forum »
For Ceremonial purposes?
Log In to post a reply
127 messages
Topic View: Flat | Threaded
Littlestone
Littlestone
5386 posts

Edited Aug 15, 2013, 12:48
Re: For Ceremonial purposes?
Aug 15, 2013, 12:46
I love these questions involving speculation Mr S – thanks for yet another one.

Dunno if you’re the same, but I quite often find myself having to check out the exact meaning of a word like ‘ceremony’. The OED gives one definition as, “A system of rites; a rite or ceremony; the formalities proper to an occasion.” I like the last bit, “...the formalities proper to an occasion.” so maybe we should take it from there and ask what might the ‘formalities’ be for occasions important to our ancestors. Occasions like birth, death, trials, executions, sacrifices, trading and feasting all spring to mind and we know that some of those things were performed at places where they’d been performed before, and consequently at places that had accrued a degree of sacredness (or at least of specialness).

So, to that extent, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that the primary function of most, but not all, stone circles was ceremonial...
In reply to:
For Ceremonial purposes? (Sanctuary)
Topic Outline:
The Modern Antiquarian Forum Index