FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF PREHISTORIC CELESTIAL ALIGNMENTS IN WESTERN SCOTLAND: CALENDRICAL ALIGNMENTS ON THE ISLAND OF MULL

Abstract

There have been some limited studies of the standing stone sites on Mull. Alexander Thom assessed a few sites (Thom 1967, 1971). Clive Ruggles studied the stone rows in northern Mull, determining approximate declinations using only the stones (Ruggles 1985, Martlew and Ruggles 1993, Ruggles 1999, 112ff.). He also catalogued all of the sites and recorded orientations (Ruggles 1984). The present study assessed 29 of 32 standing stone sites on Mull for possible precise alignments using indicated foresight features. In 1967 Thom published a histogram of some 300 declinations from widely scattered sites (Thom 1967, Fig 8.1). The histogram showed a pattern of peaks that suggested systematic observation of the sun. Thom deduced probable declinations for the peaks. Eleven sites on Mull could not be measured (due to trees, fallen stones, etc.). Three sites were not visited (two had fallen stones). Five others are probably medieval waymarkers. Four sites gave lunar alignments. The remaining nine sites gave multiple solar alignments which strongly supported Thom’s deduced declinations and hence the probable existence of a prehistoric calendar. Mention is made of a recent paper which gives supporting evidence (MacKie 2013).