The Standing Sotnes of Stenness, Scotland

The Standing Stones of Stenness is a Neolithic monument 5 miles northeast of Stromness on the mainland of Orkney, Scotland. The Standing Stones of Stenness are actually a circle of 12 stones with a diameter of 30m and comprises of 4 uprights. The circle is surrounded by a rock-cut ditch approximately 2m deep, 7m wide and 44m in diameter. The excavation has exposed a square setting of stones and bedding holes for further uprights, either stone or wooden. The circle was constructed somewhere 3000 BC, older than several Henge monuments in the British Isles. An 18th century antiquary, Dr. Robert Henry, describe the site was used once for the Temple of the Moon, and the Ring of Brodgar as the Temple of the Sun. The Neolithic quarried thousands of tons of fine-grained sandstone, trimmed it, properly shaped it, and then transported it quite a few miles to a grassy promontory with commanding views of the nearby countryside. Their workmanship was extremely immaculate.

The stones themselves are very impressive, but why the Standing Stones of Stenness were erected is still a mystery. The possible judgement is that, they were doing numerous activities, ceremonies, and celebrating the life with relationship between living and past communities. The remnants of domestic animals, such as sheep, cattle, and dog’s bones were found in the ditch. The Standing Stones of Stenness form part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage site in December 1999. The name comes from Old Norse meaning stone headland suggesting that this area had particular importance. The Standing Stones are lacks of encircling ditch and bank these days, but excavation has shown that this used to be a Henge monument. There are many stones still standing in the area, originally associated with Stennes Stones. However one famous stone Odin was destroyed in 1814, while collapsed the other stone that was part of the ring. The Stone of Odin was a sad loss, because it had a circular hole, through which local lovers plighted their troth by holding hands. The stone that had toppled was re-erected, discovered lying under the turf. This rather small and misshapen stone has been the subject of controversy ever since, but it remains standing today.

Moreover, the history showed, men, women, children and families approaching Stenness at certain time of year, carrying bales of bones, skeletons of corpses skulls, mandibles, long bones, skulls of totem animals, and herding a beast to be slaughtered for the feasting that would accompany the ceremonies. The stones are thin slabs, approximately 12 in thick with sharply angled tops. However, four, up to about 16 feet high, were initially elements of a stone circle of up to 12 stones, laid out in an ellipse about 105 feet diameter on a levelled platform of 144 feet diameter surrounded by a ditch. The ditch is cut into rock by 6.6 feet and is 23 feet wide, surrounded by an earth bank, with a single entrance causeway on the north side.

The Stones of Stenness are terrifically located with brilliant views over the surrounding countryside extending to the hills of Hoy. Therefore, the perfect time to pay the visit in summer, and try to very early morning or late in the day, to observe the majestic view of stones against the sunrise or sunset, and maybe even have them to yourself. The Stones of Stenness can be seen right by the roadside, among popular stopping spot for visitors. Hence, there are no restrictions, you can go right up to them and touch them; and see the ruins of some other Neolithic houses and central house, these are not as well advertised as those at Skara Brae, but are still captivating if you like to muse on their history.  Source: CP

Japan’s First Ever Glass Travel Train

Japan is introducing First Glass Travel train that has Windows instead of walls, giving passengers remarkable view of its volcanic landscape. The country has majestic scenery in the world, offering a new experience to its passengers. The modern design by Ichibansen, that carriage are same to glass tubes, now rail passengers will able to see in all its glory mainly thanks to a train that has big windows instead of walls. In addition, driver’s room is also glass; enable the passengers to see the inner working of train travel. Moreover, there are two carriages to the glass train, the first carriage is dedicated to offering majestic viewpoints, and however the second houses a French restaurant. The enthusiast’s passengers will have unhindered views of Japan’s volcanic landscape. There are 45 seats available with the options of meal (costs £100) and without meal (£40) on the Echigo Tokimeki Resort Setsugekka. 

Moreover, Switzerland and Canada are famous for operating trains with similar panoramic carriages. The passengers start the trip through a scenic wonderland of dramatic and diverse wilderness, taking the Rocky Mountaineer train from Vancouver. The tourist can relish gazing through ceiling windows that shows the fast flowing rivers and avalanche-threatened passes. The passengers are advised to keep a lookout for a jaw-dropping range of wildlife on the trip, also includes a visit to Yoho National Park and the Columbia Icefields. 

Likewise, Switzerland's Glacier Express is normally labelled as the slowest fast train in the world as it takes just under 8 hours to travel approximately 180 miles between St Moritz and Zermatt and vice versa. The mountain railway journey also runs from Piz Bernina to the Matterhorn, crosses 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and Rhone and the Rhine. This is probably one of best tail trip in the world, especially journey over the Bernina Pass, with the glacier and mountain scenery made accessible by extraordinary feats of railway engineering.

Newgrange; Stone Age Passage Tomb - Megalithic Ireland

Newgrange; is a famous prehistoric monument in Ireland, located one KM north of the River Boyne. The Stone Age monument built somewhere Neolithic period around 3000 BC to 2500 BC, making it older than English Stonehenge and Egyptian Pyramids. The Newgrange is a large circular mound with a stone passageway and interior chambers. The Newgrange is actually a man-made mound 85 metres in diameter and 13.5 metres high, along with a 19 meter passage which leads to a chamber with 3 alcoves.

The kidney shaped mound is ringed by “Kerbstones” engraved with artwork, and covered an area of more than one acre. The exact purpose of Newgrange is not confirmed, but speculated that it had been used for religious activities, aligned with rising sun, which lights passes through the chamber on the winter solstice. Therefore, may be more fitting classification, a place of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance. The Newgrange is relatively a modern name, which means New Grange, as outlaying farms were recognized known as granges. The Newgrange is the most famous monument which is a part of the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site, having great similarities with other Neolithic constructions in Western Europe, just like “Maeshowe” in Orkney, Scotland and the “Bryn Celli Ddu” in Wales. Majority of Neolithic people were farmers, growing crops, and raising animals, and their tools would have been made out of stone, wood, antler, bones.

It is projected; more than 300 labor force participated in the construction of Passage Tomb at Newgrange for 20 years. However, Newgrange is just a passage tomb and was sealed for many centuries and remained in Irish mythology and folklore. In 1970’s the front of monument was reconstructed, causing a lot of controversial buzz and disputed. These days, Newgrange is one of most popular tourist site, regarded prehistorian as the great national monument and one of most prominent megalithic structures in Ireland and Europe. There are few proofs that Newgrange was used as a burial tomb, and roof of the inner chamber is of corbelled construction, it hasn't leaked in 5000 years.

The estimated weight of circular is more than 200,000 tonnes in total; with a flat topped cairn is almost 0.5 hectares. The Newgrange is made up of water-rolled stones, the terraces of the River Boyne and round granite boulders from the Mourne. Newgrange contains various examples of abstract Neolithic rock art carved onto it which provide decoration They are also marked by wide differences in style, the skill-level, and one of the most notable examples of art at Newgrange is the triskele-like features found on the entrance stone. It has been described as "one of the most famous stones in the entire repertory of megalithic art.

In addition, different archaeologists have guessed as to the meaning of the decoration, supposed them to have some sort of symbolic purpose, as some of the carvings had been in places that would not have been noticeable, such as at the bottom of the orthostatic slabs below ground level. Moreover, excavations have revealed deposits of both burnt and unburnt human bones in the passage, signifying human corpses were actually placed within it, even some of which had been cremated. Besides, various grave goods were deposited alongside the bodies inside the passage. Furthermore, excavations which were taken place in the late 1960s revealed seven “marbles”, four pendants, two beads, a used flint flake, a bone chisel and fragments of bone pins and points.

Puka Pukara; The Red Fort of Inca Ruins in Peru

Puka Pukara is a military ruins site, located in mid-southern Peru, approximately 4 to 5 miles from Cusco on the road to Pisac and near the Antisuyo, Cusco Region. Puka Pukara is also known with “Puca Pucara means in Quechua “red fortress”. This is actually a big fortress, made of large walls, terraces, and staircases an example of military architecture. The fortress purpose to defense of Cusco in particular and the Inca Empire in general. The name likely to be comes from the red color of rocks at dusk. The Fortress was also use for an administrative center, probably placed to give the military extra vision over important parts of the empire. The fortress is also located on high ground a bird eye view of Cusco valley and Tambo Machay, creating a beautiful view. 

 The exact date of construction is not confirmed, however Puka Pukara is a one of Incan ruins, and one theory describes, perhaps constructed during the reign of Pachacutec, who was 9^th ruler of the empire. Thus, this is very important strategic location of the ruins, as a overlooking point and one kilometer away from Tambomachay, gives more reason to think that this was a military place. 

The walls stones are in irregular shaped stacked together in kind of a here-and-there style to make walls that are fully functional. As far as architecture the walls are not too beautiful, contrast to a lot of other sites in the region. Probably the walls, and building were built in somewhat hurry, as Puka Pukara military headquarters required urgently. During the construction, the variable sized and shaped stones actually have been a red color due to all the iron in the limestone used in the walls. Other possible explanations: when the Inca would go to Tambomacay, part of the warriors would stay in to keep guard, and since the two places are not that far apart they would communicate through mirrors reflecting light or they could also have used pieces of gold?.

However, the real function of Puka Pukara’s was partially a military based. It was placed on such an important place, as major roads and watch-point to grey areas, also monitor the people causing disturbance. In the modern terms, you could say is a checkpoint on the road, stopping people, investigating, suspicious travelling in/out into the empire. Besides, it may be served as military groups stop travelling nearby. Moreover, may believe it was a place of rest for hunters and weary travelers as well as Incan nobles, due to its entire luxurious baths, canals, plazas, fountains and separate rooms. 

This is Peru’s most prominent archaeological sites in the city of Cusco, and most noteworthy place to observe the Peruvian ruins. So, visitor’s likes to visit this area, due to its magnificent views of surrounding jungle and ruins, and hues that are probably change the color of the walls around sunset. The common thing of people lives here to set up tables selling small souvenirs to take pictures of groups in front of ruins jus for the mere of few sols. Therefore, overall, Puka Pukara is not a main travel attraction in the area, and that is the reason why very few people come to visit it.

The Mysterious Georgia Guidestones

Well, the Georgia Guidestones is a granite monument erected in 1980 in Georgia, the highest point in Elbert County, approximately 90 miles east of Atlanta United States. The monument stands 45 miles from Athens, and 9 miles north of the center of Elberton. Georgia Guidestone is a mysterious six-piece granite monument atop a desolate hill. The height of monument is 19 feet 3 inches made with granite slabs. One slab stands in the center with 4 arranged around it, with a capstone lies on top of five slabs.  The inscribed messages as "a stirring call to rational thinking", while Wired stated that unspecified opponents have labeled them as the "Ten Commandments of the Antichrist".



Therefore, a set of 10 guidelines is inscribed on the monument in 8 different modern languages. Moreover a short message is also inscribed at the top of monument in 4 ancient language scripts, Classical Greek, Egyptian Hieroglyphs, Sanskrit, and Babylonian. The stones are easy visible from Georgia Highway 77, and it is referred as an American Stonehenge. The stones interpretation is describe the basic concepts implemented to rebuild a devastated civilization. The engraved idea to keep humanity's population below 500 million could have been made under the assumption that it had already been abridged below this number.



In 1979, the strange monument was commissioned by an individual who identified himself as R. C. Christian, but it was not his real name. R.C. Christian hired Elberton Granite Finishing Company to construct the structure. He wants to know potential cost of building a monument of substantial size, explaining that he represented a small group of anonymous Americans foreign to Georgia who had been working on a 20-year-long project as a message for future generations. In 1980’s the monument was unveiled for public. In 2008, a slogan such as “Death to the New World Order” was graffiti with paint and stones were vandalized with graffiti with another phrase I Am Isis, goddess of love. The set of ten guidelines is engraved on Georgia Guidestones in 8 different languages, English, Swahili, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Hebrew, Sanskrit, and Arabic



Here’s the set of 10 Guidelines.

1.      Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.

2.      Guide reproduction wisely improving fitness and diversity.

3.      Balance personal rights with social duties.

4.      Unite humanity with a living new language.

5.      Rule passion, faith, tradition, and all things with tempered reason.

6.      Avoid petty laws and useless officials.

7.      Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.

8.      Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.

9.      Prize truth with beauty, love, seeking harmony with the infinite.

10.   Be not a cancer on the earth Leave room for nature, leave room for nature.



On the west side of monument, another granite set level with the ground, identifies the structure and languages used on it, facts about size, weight, astronomical features, installed date, sponsors of the project and more importantly time capsule buried under the tablet. Thus, the two columns of text are written the caption "GUIDESTONE LANGUAGES", with a diagram of the granite slab layout underneath it. Moreover, among the sceptics, supporters, conspirators and those simply passing through, there exist a number of theories on the identity of R.C Christian and the true nature of the stones. Because some recommend the Guidestones is a place for occult ceremonies and devil worship, and that R. C. Christian belonged to "a Luciferian secret society". Therefore, the monument has been subjected to quite a few instances of vandalism.

The astrological specifications for the Guidestones were so multifaceted that the four outer stones are oriented to mark the limits of the 18.6 year lunar declination cycle. While the center column features a hole drilled at an angle from one side to the other, a star whose position changes only very gradually over time. The identical pillar has a slot carved through it which is aligned with the Sun's solstices and equinoxes. A 7/8" aperture in the capstone allows a ray of sun to pass through at noon each day, shining a beam on the center stone indicating the day of the year. However, the Guidestones have become a subject of interest for conspiracy theorists. One activist demanded that the Guidestones "be smashed into a million pieces, and then the rubble used for a construction project", claiming that the Guidestones are of "a deep Satanic origin", and that R. C. Christian belongs to "a Luciferian secret society" associated to the "New World Order".

A computer analyst “Van Smith” believed the monument's dimensions prophesied the height of the Burj Khalifa, which was opened in Dubai more than 30 years after the Georgia Guidestones were designed. He said the builders of the Guidestones were probable aware of the Burj Khalifa project which he compared to the biblical Tower of Babel. Every year thousands of people come here to see the guidestones.