Secrets of Stonehenge

Steven commented on Nova on 05.12.11
In this episode, there is mention that under the processional path to Stonehenge there are stone formations running parallel to the path. It is suggested that these formations, these lines, were cut into the rock by ice age glaciers flowing in the direction of the future path. It is further suggested that the ancient builders of Stonehenge may have chosen the building location because of the unusual "coincidence" of these lines with certain locations of the rising and setting of the sun at solstices. Finally, it is suggested that the slight hills and troughs to the sides of the path were made to accentuate these stone lines. At another point, mention is made of using carved stone balls to move the large stones at Stonehenge. An experiment is conducted, using stone balls and wood rails. Unfortunately, the wood tends to splinter under the weights used in the experiment. Perhaps a more parsimonious explanation of things is possible? What if the builders of Stonehenge cleared the ground down to the rock formation under the processional path, then used stone balls to move the monument stones over the rock formation? Unlike wood, this rock formation would not tend to compress or splinter so much. The raised sides of the path would keep the stone balls from rolling out of the rock formation. By laying down a very large number of stone balls, the weight of the monument stones might be spread sufficiently to make movement possible. If the monument stones were moved in this way, it would also explain the lines in the rock formationrather than being cut into the rock by glaciers, they would have been formed as "ruts" by the movement of the stone balls under the weight of the monument stones. This method would give a unified explanation of several things observed at the site.