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4. Discussion of Solar sites on Mull

 

(This section is nearly completed but some topics at the end are listed as requiring discussion. )

The evidence that the alignments found are real and were planned.

The sites Ardnacross (ML 12), Gruline (ML 16) and Tenga (ML 13) were examined together because of the strong evidence that  they give for solar alignments, both when the sites are considered individually and collectively, that the  alignments found at them are real and were planned:-

Halving the Difference

(NOTE:  There is more on this topic together with further examples of alignments for 'Halving the Difference' in the later section on Sites for the Solstices

The only fixed times in the solar calendar are the solstices and it would be necessary to know when they occurred in order to set up the calendar. Thereafter it would be important to know the day of the solstices  in order to keep a check on the calendar use. This can in principle and with difficulty be done by using a very long alignment to determine the actual day of the solstice by observation of the very small movement of the sun near the solstices. Variable refraction would be a potentially serious matter. Ballochroy in Kintyre and Kintraw in Argyll may be of this type. Alternatively the method of ‘halving the difference’ whereby the sun is observed at a foresight  a few days before and after the solstice is much easier.  However it has been claimed that there is no certainty that any alignments of this nature  are not quite likely to be due to chance.      E.g.   “…., the chances are appreciable of finding an acceptable notch within a degree or so …. from one of the extreme positions. Any such notch  is susceptible to the ‘halving the difference’ argument, so that the mere presence of such a notch in the general direction of the alignment of features at a monument such as Brainport Bay (MacKie 1981; 1988 ) does not constitute any sort of proof that it was used in this way….”. Ruggles 1999: 32).

In the absence of any strong evidence for the existence of alignments of this nature, Ruggles' statement is not unreasonable.  It would seem to be difficult however, to explain the 'halving the difference' alignments found found at Ardnacross (two) and Gruline  as being due to chance.  The following points are relevant:-

  • Each of the three alignments is for the sun at almost the same distance from the solstice: 7 to 11 days. (The daily movement of the sun at this time is about 3′ - 4′.5 )
  • At each of the three alignments the solstice is less than the sun's diameter beyond the alignment. The point here is that there is no ambiguity about which limb is to be observed and would help to confirm the alignment.

Ruggles talks of  "......within a degree or so."  Given that the sun subtends an angle of close to half a degree I would contend that Ruggles  "..within a degree or so" is too vague and too wide.  There are now five sites known (see below) and suitable for halving the difference and all of them have a clear feature within less than half a degree of the solstice.

In addition to the four sites as above, there is also the site at  Brainport (MacKie 1981: 128-137, 1988: 213-224).  For the alignment at Brainport near the midsummer solstice it had been assumed that the upper limb was observed (MacKie 1988: 214). This would make the distance between the solstice and the alignment ‘notch’ about 1 ½ solar diameters (0⁰.8). This is possible, but the points noted above tell us that it is more likely that the lower limb was observed. This limb would then be at the alignment point 9 days before/after the solstice, travel less than the sun’s diameter and would mean that the sun was visible before the time of observation.

All of the above five alignments fit a clear pattern:-  The sun takes almost exactly 12 days to move its own diameter  from the solstice and so by choosing a suitable foresight and  positioning the backsight as required the  foresight is passed in less than 12 days.  This removes ambiguity regarding the limb observed.  The evidence presented here means that the balance has now moved to strongly  favour of the existence of use of the method of 'halving the difference', and therefore that Ruggles' reservations are shown to be, almost certainly, over cautious.

 

 Gruline and Tenga

When we consider the double alignment from the same backsight at Gruline together with  the supporting evidence of the (winter) solstial alignments at Ardnacross and the (summer) solstitial alignment at Gruline,  any claims that solar alignments are likely to be due to chance begin to seem very improbable.  The alignments at Tenga can only reinforce this view.

 

Pattern of alignment foresights

All of the solar foresights found in this survey represent one of five types:

  • The sun rising or setting into or out of a dip of hollow which is wide enough to fit the sun + the four yearly range.
  • The rising sun is initially hidden below a rising ridge/slope which is nearly parallel to the path of the sun or it sets into or rises from such a feature. In both cases a day earlier/later, depending on the sun's  direction of movement, it would in most cases be visible. The day sought is therefore the day immediately before/after the sun is visible depending upon its direction of movement.
  • Similar but the sun is seen above the slope (e.g. Scanistle, Islay)
  • The sun rises out of or sets into a hill intersection
  • Either:-  The sun passes behind a bump or a small but distinct hill and is briefly hidden by the feature or it passes just clear of such a feature.

(It should be noted that only the last type of feature has been found for lunar alignments (Achara and Glennan). The reason?         It lends itself to higher precision than the other types of foresight.  As discussed earlier in order to identify the ~9′ arc 'wobble' lunar alignments must be precise to about ±2′ of arc. Alignments for 'halving the difference'  where the daily movement of the sun is about 4′ require a comparable precision. None of the other types of foresight provide this precision.)

3. Grouped

 

 

5. Grouped Resized 750

The inference from these examples is that it was the sun not appearing ( or actually disappearing) that for calendrical purposes, determined the day.

 

5. Grouped - Resized 750

 

3. Grouped

 

 

Summary of alignments found

                       Sunrise                                           Epoch (Month)                                 Sunset

(Map Ref.)                                                                                                                       (Map ref.)

Uluvalt C (ML 25) 5468 2996 +0º.4   0 +0⁰.6 Tenga  (ML 13)       5040 4632
+9º.0   1 +9º.2 Rossal  (ML 27)      5434 2820Ardalanish(ML 33) 3784 1888
+16º.6   2 +16º.7
Gruline  (ML16)    5437 3977 +22º.0   3 +22º.1
Gruline (ML 16)    5437 3977 +23º.9   4 +23º.9
Gruline (ML 16)    5437 3977 +22º.1   5 +22º.0
+16º.8   6 +16º.6
 +9º.3   7 +9º.1 Rossal  (ML 27)      5434 2820Ardalanish (ML 33) 3784 1888
Uluvalt C (ML 25)   5468 2996 +0º.5   8 +0º.3 Tenga (ML 13)         5040 4632
 Tenga    (ML 13)    5040 4632  -8º.4   9  -8º.6 Lochbuie A(ML 28) 6163 2543
-16º.2  10 -16º.4 Lag (ML 6)              3626 5331
Uluvalt B (ML 25)   5463 3002 -21º.9  11 -22º.0 Tenga (ML 13)        5040 4632
-23º.9  12 -23º.9 Ardnacross(ML 12) 5422 4915
Uluvalt B (ML 25)   5463 3002 -21º.8  13 -21º.7 Tenga  (ML 13)        5040 4632
-16º.3  14 -16º.2 Lag  (ML 6)             3626 5331
Tenga   (ML 13)      5040 4632  -8º.5  15  -8.4 Lochbuie A(ML28) 6163 2543
Uluvalt C (ML 25)  5468 2996 +0º.4  16  +0º.5 Tenga  (ML 13)        5040 4632

 

 Criticisms of previous claims concerning solar alignments

The doubts concerning the method of finding the day of the solstice by using the method of 'halving the difference' has been discussed above and shown to be unduly pessimistic. The evidence is strong that the method was used at both Ardnacross and Gruline.

Clive Ruggles had two further significant concerns:-

  1.      He had doubts regarding the reliability of isolated single alignments.  Referring to Thom’s results he writes  “…, his megalithic calendar was manifested not in one or two all-encompassing ‘observatories’ but in dozens of simpler calendrical markers, varying greatly in form, mostly marking sunrise or sunset at a single epoch date, scattered all over Britain.” (Ruggles 1999: 81). It is in order to avoid such criticisms that groups of stones are being surveyed. The table above indicates the significant number of alignments found on the island and with very little duplication. The multiple alignments at Ardnacross, Gruline and Tenga also provide good evidence for the existence of solar alignments. Ruggles statement also ignores the evidence that certain declinations were preferentially observed as shown by Thom's Histogram. (See above in:-  1a Solar alignments in Mull and Islay: Introduction.)
  2.      He also had doubts regarding the choice of foresights.  “The problem ….. is that at many sites there are a large number of equally prominent horizon features and the selection of any particular one may well be influenced by the astronomical possibilities”. (Ruggles 1999: 53).  The results found in this survey and analysed above suggest that this claim is at least  unduly negative , but almost certainly incorrect. (And see below)

Conclusions

The solar alignments found on Mull follow from measurements in the field. Those measurements are repeatable

For the reasons given above and summarised below  it would seem to be an inescapable fact that the alignments are real and were planned.

  1. A group of stones was assessed.
  2. No selection
  3. The alignments found  were all in an indicated direction.  (The opposite direction was checked in all cases)
  4. 'Halving the difference'     The double (winter) solstice alignment at Ardnacross together with the (summer) solstice alignment at Gruline
  5. The double alignment at Gruline from the same observing position.
  6. The set of alignments at Tenga
  7. The foresights used show repetition of a limited type
  8. The table above indicates the significant number of alignments found on the island and with very little duplication.

 

We therefore reach the conclusion:-

Given the solar alignments found it seems very likely that the prehistoric calendar as proposed by Thom existed, at least on the island of Mull.  The results also serve to confirm that the declinations derived by Thom from the histogram of declinations found, and found without any anticipation of the evidence that it would give, are essentially correct.  Since the histogram was based on measurements from widely scattered sites the only logical conclusion must be that solar alignments are likely to be common.  The most likely reason for this is that the prehistoric calendar was in general use.

 

(NOTE:  The above is for the Island of Mull.  Further solar alignments were identified during later work on the Island of Islay which follows)

 Other matters to be discussed:-

  1. The possible reasons for a desire/need for a relatively accurate calendar.
  2. It is known that in Ireland there was in the 5th century A.D.  certain dates which were considered important and given names - Imbolc, Beltaine, Lughnasadh and Samhain.   These fell close to the quarter days and might have originated in a  prehistoric calendar.
  3. The evidence for a possible date for any such calendar