Darwin200 Episode 16: the Darwin200 ship calls in at the Isle of Lewis for a visit to the spectacular Callanish Stones. Darwin200 leader Stewart McPherson explores the ancient site.
This amazing stone circle was erected up to 5,000 years ago (before the pyramids in Egypt were built)!
Over 50 gigantic monolithic stones of Lewisian gneiss are arranged in a 130 m long cross and a central circle. Each stone stands up to 5 m tall (plus foundations) and weighs dozens of tonnes!
The process of how bronze-age cultures transported and positioned the arrangement of stones remains incompletely understood.
It is believed that the Callanish Stones were used for prehistoric religious activities and ceremonies for at least 1500 years.
Interestingly, the Lewisian gneiss which makes up the Callanish Stones is the oldest rock type in the British Isles, and is understood to be more than 3 billion years in age.
Several other arrangements of standing stone, as well as countless other prehistoric monuments are scattered across the Isle of Lewis and nearby Hebridean Islands!
Follow the Darwin200 UK Voyage to see what further discoveries the team makes during the Darwin200 UK Voyage!
Visit www.Darwin200.com for information!