Richland Stone Circle
N33° 09.120 W117° 08.710
Map reference: 486462
3668147
Condition of site: 4 (destroyed)
Diameter: 7.9m ?
References: Davidson & Seabrook 27; Thom (1967) T 7/2.
The Richland megalithic site was first observed and recorded in 1710 by William Stukeley. At that time the ring was largely intact. We have his description and sketch
to show us how this marvelous megalithic site once appeared.
The contrast with its present condition is indeed sad.
Alexander Thom visited the site, and surveyed the positions of remaining stone stumps and holes. He used Stukeley’s plan in identifying backsight stones and horizon features as possible distant foresights. Thom identified several possible astronomical alignments. His main work at the site involved several horizon profiles.
Today, just a few decades later, little remains of the
Richland circle site except a few small crumbled stones.
Our ancestors thousands of years ago were no less intelligent than we are today. However, they were not distracted by artificial lighting, calendars, and clocks from watching the varying motions of the sun, moon, and stars. Even modern astronomers are often unaware of the basic motions of the celestial bodies over periods of years. To our ancestors these motions were of great importance, being connected to the harvests, the seasons, and the gods.
The rising and setting points of the sun swing from north to south as summer turns to winter. The full moon moves in an opposite manner, reaching its most northerly rising point in the winter. It also wobbles above and below the path of the sun (by about 5°), so that sometimes it reaches extreme rising and setting positions called standstills. The moon will reach its major winter standstill on 15 December, 2005. The last time this happened was 18.6 years ago. The ancient Britons, the Mayans, the Anasazi, and the Incas knew about these motions and cycles.
Your goal is to measure several important rising and setting points of the sun and moon with a magnetic compass, and then to match what you see with the correct horizon profile. The images are set up to be printable. Angles are azimuth bearings from true north. Remember to take magnetic declination into account.
Midwinter max moonrise (major standstill) 56° (1)
Summer solstice sunrise 62° (2)
Midwinter min moonrise (minor standstill) 69°
Equinox sunrise 90° (3)
Midsummer min moonrise (minor standstill) 112°
Winter solstice sunrise 118° (4)
Midsummer max moonrise (major standstill) 125°
Midsummer max moonset (major standstill) 235° (5)
Winter solstice sunset 242°
Midsummer min moonset (minor standstill) 248°
Equinox sunset 270° (6)
Midwinter min moonset (minor standstill) 291°
Summer solstice sunset 298° (7)
Midwinter max moonset (major standstill) 303°
N .1ABCD
W .1EEFG
Alexander Thom horizon profiles
Profile A
Profile B
Profile C
Profile D
Profile E
Profile F
Profile G