Is the Wheel of Ghosts an Ancient Observatory? New Study Suggests Otherwise

The traditional Rujm el-Hiri website, located within the Golan Heights and sometimes called the “Wheel of Ghosts,” has been re-evaluated, with its long-standing identification as an astronomical observatory coming underneath scrutiny. Researchers have decided that geodynamic adjustments over tens of millions of years have altered the positioning’s orientation, elevating questions on its unique objective. These findings, derived from superior geophysical and distant sensing methods, present a brand new perspective on this enigmatic archaeological construction.

Geophysical Insights Problem Established Theories

According to the examine printed in Distant Sensing, geodynamic actions averaging 8–15 millimetres per yr over 150 million years shifted the positioning’s alignment considerably. Researchers from Tel Aviv College and Ben-Gurion College, led by Dr Olga Khabarova and Prof Lev Eppelbaum, concluded that the construction’s present orientation doesn’t match celestial patterns, contradicting earlier interpretations of its perform. The entrances and radial partitions, when reconstructed to their unique positions, have been proven to lack alignment with solstices, equinoxes, or different astronomical markers.

Superior Strategies Reveal Archaeological Panorama

As reported by SciTech Day by day, the researchers employed geomagnetic evaluation and satellite expertise to doc the encompassing archaeological options inside a 30-kilometre radius of the Sea of Galilee. Distinctive round constructions, some as much as 90 metres in diameter, have been recognized alongside burial mounds and spherical enclosures. These findings recommend agricultural and herding functions quite than purely ceremonial or observational roles.

A Broader Perspective on Rujm el-Hiri’s Function

Dr Michal Birkenfeld of Ben-Gurion College emphasised in his assertion to SciTech Day by day that this reassessment enriches understanding of historical life within the Golan Heights. The analysis group famous that the examine reopens debates concerning the website’s objective whereas highlighting its integration right into a broader archaeological panorama. By questioning previous assumptions, the examine encourages additional exploration of how historical communities interacted with their atmosphere.