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1960s theory that Stonehenge was a prehistoric computer

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Why This Matters

This article highlights a 1960s theory suggesting Stonehenge functioned as a prehistoric computer, reflecting early attempts to understand ancient monuments through technological analogies. It underscores the ongoing debate and the importance of cautious interpretation in archaeology, which remains relevant as the industry increasingly integrates technology and data analysis. For consumers, it offers insight into how historical mysteries continue to inspire innovative thinking and technological exploration.

Key Takeaways

Even at the time, there were critics of his theory, with some pointing out that three of the 56 holes intrinsic to it might have simply been caused by the former growth of trees. As the British archaeologist Richard Atkinson wrote in the New York Review of Books in 1966, "That the layout of Stonehenge has some astronomical significance is not in doubt… The interpretation of that alignment, however, and of any other astronomical characteristics of the monument, requires the exercise of scholarly caution."