Humans had a sophisticated calendric system thousands of years earlier than previously thought, according to new research. The discovery is based on a detailed analysis of data from an archaeological site at Crathes Castle (Aberdeenshire, Scotland) – a row of ancient pits which archaeologists believe is the world’s oldest calendar. The pit alignment was first excavated in 2004 and archaeologists suggest that the ancient monument was created by hunter-gatherers about 10,000 years ago and designed to represent the months of the year and the lunar phases of the month. They believe it also allowed the observation of the mid-winter sunrise so that the lunar calendar could be annually re-calibrated to bring it back into line with the solar year. Remarkably the monument was in use for some 4,000 years and the pits were periodically re-cut over those four millennia. (from BBC News) Travel to Scotland with Far Horizons!
