In the UK, archaeologists led by Dr. Claire Ellis of the Argyll Archeology research project examined a mysterious megalithic site on the Isle of Mull and established that it was a sanctuary symbolizing the "gateway to the underworld."
According to The Scotsman, we are talking about a monument, which is a short row of huge boulders. It is located in the Scottish county of Baliscat, in the northeast of the Isle of Mull. Similar megalithic monuments were previously found in Ireland.
Researchers sometimes compare the megaliths of Malla with the famous Stonehenge. However, all the similarities lie only in the use of boulders. The stones on the island are oriented completely differently.
In a new study, a team led by Dr. Claire Ellis tested an earlier hypothesis that the Malla stones are astronomically oriented. The analysis showed that with their help, both in ancient times and now it is possible to follow the movement of the moon.
"The moon, which is the most visible object in the sky, was used to measure time using the number of days, this cycle was approximately 28 days between no moon and full moon," says Dr. Ellis. "The lunar cycle is also closely related to the tidal and fertile cycles." …
In the course of research in Baliscat, as earlier in the territory of neighboring megaliths, evidence was found that in ancient times the monument was a sanctuary where rituals associated with fire were actively carried out.
"The pieces of quartz and crystals found in these sites suggest that the rituals were accompanied by flickering fire and dancing moonlight that refracted and reflected off the quartz," says Dr. Ellis. ".
According to the expert, in the beliefs of the ancient inhabitants of these places, quartz was associated with spirits and served as a means of communication with the other world since the Neolithic times. On impact, such a stone emits a greenish spark and a specific odor. Similar evidence of ancient rituals has been found near the cities of Connemara in Ireland and Inverness in Scotland.
"The date of creation and purpose of these mysterious monuments is still a mystery," concludes Dr. Ellis. "But archaeologists believe that they were built about 3000 years ago."
