11 ancient sites that are mysteriously aligned with the sun on the winter solstice, in photos.

[Judi Lynn]

Marianne Guenot Dec 17, 2022, 2:29 AM

The winter solstice is the longest night of the year. It's the time when the planet is tilted furthest away from the sun, but also marks the time when the days start getting longer.

For millennia, people have looked out for that somewhat mystical day, which often symbolizes the beginning of winter or a time of rebirth.

Archaeologists have found many ancient sites that line up with the winter solstice sun. But the purpose of these sites often remains shrouded in mystery.

Here are 11 sites that line up with the winter solstice, and what experts think about them.

More:
https://www.businessinsider.com/winter-solstice-sun-aligned-ancient-sites-2022-12

[mopinko]

1. srsly? they're fucking calendars.

how do these ‘experts’ not grok how important the 1st calendars were?
why do they insist on putting their spiritual spin on everything, regardless of the evidence?

[ShazzieB]

4. Of course they're calendars.

The article acknowledges that, more than once. It's also quite informative. I recommend reading it.

[mopinko]

8. i did. and many more like it.

and these guys, usually guys, who put their ‘spiritual’ meanings on this shit is w/o evidence as far as i can see, are bad at their jobs.

they likely gained those meanings over time. but that’s because of how crucial they were to human survival.

[NullTuples]

5. Thank you - being able to predict seasons has always been crucial to survival

[IronLionZion]

2. It was aliens

Agree that it's calendars. People needed to know when to plant crops and harvest them and general planning for things.

[wnylib]

10. Even before agriculture, it was important for

Hunter gatherers to gauge when to relocate for gathering wild plants and roots and when to move on for different kinds of prey that they hunted. One location for winter, another location for spring, etc.

[niyad]

3. Thank you for sharing this fascinating information. Did not know that Karnak

and Machu Pichu were also like Chaco, Stonehenge and Newgrange.

The documentary on Chaco Canyon narrated by Robert Redford is fascinating.

[Mr.Bill]

6. These structures were built so that

one day some one could put the information on the internet and load it up with advertising.

[Duppers]

7. They are all seem most interesting.

The only one I have visited is Stonehenge.

[scipan]

9. Thanks for this post! I celebrate every year

Makes me feel more aligned with nature.

But tbh, this is the part I like best (times are for Washington DC, where I am):

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Sunset getting later each day.