Stonehenge on NOVA: Pushing the Load

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around theories regarding the transportation of stones for the construction of Stonehenge, particularly focusing on the methods used by neolithic people. Participants explore various hypotheses, including the use of grooved timbers and the role of animals in the process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the effectiveness of the methods used in the NOVA analysis, suggesting that using long levers could have aided in getting the load moving more efficiently.
  • Several participants humorously propose that sheep were used in the transportation process, with some questioning the practicality of this idea.
  • There are jokes and light-hearted comments about Welsh beer and brewing, indicating a shift in the conversation towards humor rather than technical analysis.
  • One participant expresses a negative opinion about Welsh brews, contrasting them with their preference for other types of beer.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the methods used for transporting stones, with multiple humorous and serious viewpoints presented. The discussion includes both technical considerations and light-hearted banter, indicating a mix of serious inquiry and humor.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes speculative ideas about transportation methods and humorous commentary, which may distract from the technical aspects of the original topic.

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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