Stonehenge on NOVA: Pushing the Load

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The discussion centers around the theories regarding how Neolithic people may have utilized grooved timbers and stones as ball-bearings to transport heavy loads. A key point raised is the challenge of starting the movement of these loads, as participants found it easier to maintain momentum once the loads were in motion. The conversation critiques the assumption that these ancient people did not consider using long levers to assist in getting the loads started. Additionally, there is a humorous exchange about the use of sheep in this context, with jokes about Welsh brewing and personal beer preferences, including comments on the quality of Welsh beers compared to popular brands like Budweiser and Fosters. The lighthearted banter shifts focus from the initial topic of ancient transportation methods to personal anecdotes about beer.
turbo
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I'm not averse to the theories that neolithic people might have used grooved timbers and stones as "ball-bearings", but there is a glaring problem with their analysis. The group got men and women to push on the load to try to get it going along its track. Once the loads were moving, they could be kept moving quite easily, but there were definite limits to getting the loads started. Why didn't these "smart" people figure out that if you had some people with long levers, all striving to get the load moving, that the people pushing and pulling the load could use its momentum to help keep it moving?

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/stonehenge/
 
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It's obvious that they hooked them to sheep.
 
Evo said:
It's obvious that they hooked them to sheep.
OK, I can buy that. were the sheep were spherical and of uniform density? That might help the poor people tasked with doing the calculations.
 
Evo said:
It's obvious that they hooked them to sheep.

I feel a joke involving a Welshman brewing... :rolleyes:
 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCRE9qOgbug
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Evo said:
It's obvious that they hooked them to sheep.

If I were going to use a "woolly" animal, I would opt for the Mammoth.

OK, now is the time for the Welsh joke. :smile:
 
jarednjames said:
I feel a joke involving a Welshman brewing... :rolleyes:
If I found a Welshman brewing, I'd let him go at it in the hopes that he could improve upon Brit beer. Please.
 
turbo-1 said:
If I found a Welshman brewing, I'd let him go at it in the hopes that he could improve upon Brit beer. Please.

I drink Budweiser and Fosters.

I've tasted a few "welsh brews" and they aren't nice. In fact, they're f****** terrible.
 
jarednjames said:
I drink Budweiser and Fosters.
Do you drink beer as well?
 
  • #10
Not really, I'm a lager person.
 

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