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

The historic 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 beneath scrutiny. Researchers have decided that geodynamic adjustments over hundreds of thousands of years have altered the location’s orientation, elevating questions on its authentic function. These findings, derived from superior geophysical and distant sensing strategies, present a brand new perspective on this enigmatic archaeological construction.

Geophysical Insights Challenge Established Theories

According to the research printed in Remote Sensing, geodynamic actions averaging 8–15 millimetres per yr over 150 million years shifted the location’s alignment considerably. Researchers from Tel Aviv University and Ben-Gurion University, 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 authentic positions, have been proven to lack alignment with solstices, equinoxes, or different astronomical markers.

Advanced Techniques Reveal Archaeological Landscape

As reported by SciTech Daily, the researchers employed geomagnetic evaluation and satellite tv for pc expertise to doc the encompassing archaeological options inside a 30-kilometre radius of the Sea of Galilee. Unique 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 somewhat than purely ceremonial or observational roles.

A Broader Perspective on Rujm el-Hiri’s Role

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