Decoding Stonehenge with Neil deGrasse Tyson

[@StarTalk]

What's your Stonehenge theory?

[@heyasasha]

It's actually Stoner Henge which is why some of the bits are missing, lost behind the sofa of time, and explains why archaeologists discovered all those candy wrappers beneath the sarsens.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

I liked the Transformers movie idea. How Stonehenge becomes the center when Pangaea was whole.

[@tibbaretihweht]

ez.. placed using alien tech that uses vibrations to levitate objects.. Please do an episode on the Law of one!!!!!

[@morchangstudios]

It was an ancient A&E ward - people brought their dying to be healed by the stones. At the time people were dying from bad teeth and no one knew why so they built many henges that were thought to be magical and held powers to heal. Skeletons found nearby show evidence to this. So basically it was a hospital of sorts …. The astrological thing is only a small part of the practical use it had in reality.

[@samo_ammo]

@@heyasasha omg hahaha 😅😅😅

[@RoguishNyx]

Hi! Just wanted to let you know my 16-year-old nephew saw one of your videos on my Facebook feed and got so interested that he stole my phone the whole day and watched you on KZbin, then got me addicted. My sister says that after he finishes his school work for the day, he will watch an episode, then research the subject of the episode in depth. He's still working on black holes when I talked to my sister this morning. I think you have an astrophysicist in the making. Thank you for making your videos so informative and fun.

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

good discipline he knows where to Go Learn

[@Cam-rw7fr]

That’s awesome to hear! Some of my other favorite scientists to watch are Alex jones, Steven crowder, Ben Shapiro, Candace Owen’s, rush Limbaugh, and of course tucker Carlson! Don’t question anything you hear them say, they’re very trustworthy!

[@kennth6594]

Privileged children compared to some . No hate just saying

[@kennth6594]

@@Cam-rw7fr One Should question every thing and are you a Russian bot ?

[@kennth6594]

@@Cam-rw7fr Candace Owens is unkl tom boot licking racist and y too probably are racist

[@onelife7850]

One of the reasons I respect Neil is that he gives credit to ancient people for their ability to think. They less technological in the modern sense of the word, but they were not fools.

[@andrewcole5658]

That's correct they were no fools. I would love to hear Neil's take on the Dogon Tribe's knowledge of the Sirius star system, particularly Sirius B. I would value his opinion on this.

[@shadowbear66]

He mentioned his theory on how the stones were moved but I've always wondered how they were gotten upright and then elevated.

[@PauloSousa86]

the more I researched history the more I understood that ancient history had thousands of years more than the AD we live in, and all those civilizations were advanced in some way, I think what really lacked was good and fast communication, and still in those times they knew how important it was to have faster communication.

[@onelife7850]

@@PauloSousa86 So true!

[@DRB5000]

Cool opinion

[@janefrost1856]

My family lived in London and the first time we drove to Devon we had to take a road called the A303 because the motorway hadn't been built. Stonehenge was still unprotected in those days, we stopped in the early morning and went to see the stones, being able to touch them and look around. It's a really lovely memory I have.

[@geoffwright9570]

Did the same when I was 14. You could just walk up to it. Not like now . But that was 64 years ago.

[@HieronymousCheese]

I remember wandering into Downing Street and standing for a photo in front of No. 10. How times have changed...

[@luvsdvds]

My husband and I visited Stonehenge back in 1977. We were struck by the quietness of the Salisbury Plains, and the overall eerie feeling of the site. It was totally silent, except for the sounds of chirping bugs or birds. I found it to be an unforgettable experience. Even back then the stones had already been marred by graffiti etched on the stone surface, so I can understand why they had to cordon it off.

[@Sage_n_Shai]

Chuck is such a great balance for Neil. He plays the curious role so well while being comedic. Great job guys!

[@davidbuda]

My thoughts exactly!

[@yesman2473]

X2

[@MichaelSmith420fu]

Yeah it definitely works

[@jamariousjohns9234]

Right, and he is very intelligent, so he knows just the right amount of input to give Neil even when he has a lot of knowledge on the subject

[@felixr6307]

Agreed

[@jaytroxel3495]

Chuck Nice makes these episodes 'fun' to watch.. his commentary is priceless!! Thanks Neil and Chuck!!

[@thewaywardwind548]

The first time my wife and I visited the UK, we took a tour to Stonehenge. It was humbling to stand there where the stones had stood for centuries. I was impressed with the fact that those stones were placed so close to the highway so that people could see them more easily. :)

[@idamcneill8005]

Well, technically, they placed the highway near Stonehenge. Stonehenge is just a wee bit older..

[@sharonlyman3029]

OMG! Stones "a tad bit older" than highway. ROFL

[@HieronymousCheese]

Clearly some people didn't get your joke!!! Anyway, it's not mere "centuries"; it's Millenia.

[@sarahbowen7721]

It’s also handy that they put the stones near the big car park😂

[@jamesieadams]

I love that they put the stones only an hour from my house, so considerate!

[@Skootavision]

I grew up not far from Stonehenge, and as you might be aware there is a military base near by. I was surprised to learn that the stones have been reseated many times and before it was restored in the early 1960's and treated with a bit of modern respect (though even back then you could park your car at the gate and walk around, touch the stones etc). There is a story of my late great-uncle and a bunch of his mates getting pretty hammered and stealing a stone using an army landrover. One officer spotted it and immediately knew who the ringleader was, and so kicked them out of bed before dawn (while they were still all drunk) to return it!

[@paultanner3053]

I've got a pic of of my dad and me.leaning on a "stone"

[@jackwhitbread4583]

I lived on the military base for many years and would take my children on picnics near the stones as it was less than a quarter mile from my house

[@davehoward22]

Ive sat on them at the free festival

[@larryo6874]

That’s why there’s a fence around it now.

[@michelebriere9569]

A friend had his own standing stone circle in his back yard. Developers did it, used tools to make sure each of the 8 stones, each the same size, were equal distance apart. When it was done, he discovered, by accident, that if you stood in the center and said something, the sound had changed. It was like being in a bubble. Sound was echoed back at you, while people outside the circle heard normal sound. Makes me think that when Stonehenge was still completely arranged, maybe the ancients heard the same sound effect, and thought it was supernatural.

[@lukacrnomarkovic8172]

Hey, i know its been a while since ur comment, but do u have any more info or examples of this, as an audio engineer im suuuuper interested!

[@michelebriere9569]

@@lukacrnomarkovic8172 no samples. The guy had money, and he wanted a stone circle for our druid group, so he hired a company to dig up his back yard. Everything was precisely measured. While that was being done, he hired an artist to make eight altars, one for each of the Celtic sabbats, and tile images of a deity per altar. When they were done, the construction crew did more careful measurements, marked the exact center of the circle, and the altars were spread out, perfectly spaced. It was a complete surprise, when we discovered that, when standing at the exact center, there was an odd, hollow echo that only could be heard by the person standing there and speaking.

[@michelebriere9569]

@@lukacrnomarkovic8172 try searching Sonoran Sunrise Grove. There used to be pictures online.

[@VoltisArt]

@@lukacrnomarkovic8172 The U.S. Capitol building tour includes a spot in the room under the dome where you can pretty easily hear conversations at a corresponding point across the room. Round and enclosed shapes do this regularly in acoustics and are one of the many things sound engineers learn math for. It can be a constructive or destructive effect, depending on where it is. Another example is sound dome speakers - acrylic domes made for personal listening without having to wear equipment. (You have to hang it instead, heh.)

[@HieronymousCheese]

@@lukacrnomarkovic8172 St. Paul's Cathedral has a Whispering Gallery you can try out.

[@Tim67620]

Thanks for this one Neil. I think it deserves a whole hour podcast to discuss Stonehenge. I lived in Tidworth in 1968. I went to boarding school so was only there for the holidays. Obviously my father was in the Army. I would cycle up to the stones and sit among them. There was no one to shoo me off, it was just great. Just sitting there felt tingling. The stones had something in them. I wish I went more, but at 16 I had other interests too. Listen, you hardly covered it, do a full blown Startalk on Stonehenge with an expert who knows their stuff. It linked the movements of the sun and moon and included the ancestors too. That was the religion of the time, 4500 years ago in Britain.

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

they still hold stored power: a battery. who knows what those in the know could achieve

[@Tim67620]

@@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491 They fetched the large blue stones all the way from Pembrokeshire in Wales. That's about 180 miles away and across the Severn Estuary to Wiltshire. I guess they thought that they were really special to do that. Also, that was 2500 years BC, which is late Neolithic. The tremendous effort of those people at the time has to be felt in the stones. Good job the Victorians didn't knock it down or move everything away. To me, at the time, when you could sit among the stones, the quiet and the sheer enormity of the place puts your mind in a special place. Certainly my mind at least. I feel very lucky to have those memories.

[@drewthatsme6212]

@@Tim67620 I watched the documentary about the stones to it blew my mind. I just thought they didn’t know much about anything but they were obviously really clever. I live right next to some stone monuments, literally 100m away,I should probably see if they align to anything ( any date and time )

[@Tim67620]

@@drewthatsme6212 You're very lucky to be close to some stone monuments. Most Henges include a wall and ditch as well as stones and they are generally circular, since the movement of the Sun and Moon is circular. It would be interesting to see if they align to the main Solstices. The shortest day is December 21st. I would think they would mark the setting Sun on the shortest day and the rising Sun on the longest day. Some say it tracks the Moon too but I'm not so sure. It was all about Ancestors and the power of the Sun. There are many Circles and Henges in Britain but Stonehenge is, by far, the greatest. If your stones are circular then find an east-west alignment and wait for a Solstice to test it out. They can be natural and they can be more modern copies. I hope that yours is a real one.

[@willmerritt2922]

You don’t have to wait….look up the angle of sunrise on any given day of the year at any location

[@scottmcshannon6821]

i love that last comment; "Just because you cant figure out how ancient people did something, doesnt mean aliens did it"

[@Roger-gm9tl]

So very true, but until proven one way or another, can't rule out aliens from outer space, not the ones coming from our Southern border !

[@trialstar]

I live half an hour from stonehenge. I am one of those old fellas reminiscing about climbing the stones in my youth. I wanted to carve my initials in the stones (that were partially leaning over at the time), but my dad said no!

[@DRB5000]

Nobody cares

[@decmurray1096]

In Ireland we have a neolithic tomb (Newgrange) that is technically a building. It's 5000 years old (older than the pyramids), and on the winter solstice, the chamber in the centre lights up because of the alignment of the sun on that day. I think it's much more interesting than stonehenge, but I might be biased. It has carved swirls and striped patterns in the rocks.

[@VoltisArt]

Sounds like it's more stylish, at least. Credit where it's due.

[@elvismorales7741]

Didn't ZZ TOP write a song about that ?

[@brianbriggs7327]

Sounds like the native American carvings. Southwest I think maybe Navajo.

[@nigelb7737]

Thanks!

[@Milas101]

We really appreicate what you do guys.

[@StarTalk]

Thank you!

[@katherinecooper6159]

My daughter who lives in London England met us and we all went to Stonehenge for the winter solstice. It was totally amazing. Walking amongst the stones.

[@Mr-Evil-Dave]

I finally found Chuck on Tik Tok and I am not disappointed. Thanks to both of you for doing this.

[@herbrachel3663]

I'm so addicted to your videos. I've been watching for about 7 hrs now.

[@MrDaddynomates]

I used to live near stonehenge. It used to be lit up at night with spotlights. They turned the lights off because it was distracting drivers on the nearby road. It looked really cool and spooky at night with the lights.

[@feeberizer]

I went to Stonehenge in 1980. Ended up getting an after hours tour with one of the guards for three hours! The stones were roped off, but he invited me inside to touch and see them up close for myself. I wish I'd had a tape recorder because he had so many anecdotal stories from his 20+ years of employment. He'd only missed the summer sunrise once due to cloud coverage. Amazing.

[@alvolante4164]

These ring like structures are present in several other countries . The knowledge for consistently building them is to be admired.

[@SamuelTheCoello]

Do you know where at? Is it like the pyramids where it was seemingly simultaneous enlightenment??

[@SamuelTheCoello]

Either that or aliens lol or previous civilizations being much more advanced?

[@Nayan66]

@@SamuelTheCoello we have gotten dumber with the engineering evolution of the brain, so most likely previous civ was smarter than us, and the knowledge was lost.

[@lawrencedoliveiro9104]

Every culture on Earth has shown some interest in the stars. Not many of them discovered the planets, though.

[@alfadog67]

Yeah it was 1970, I was 3, and I was instructed by my parents to try hard to remember this moment. I looked up and felt the largeness of a gigantic stone, and I rubbed my hand across it. And I walked around and attempted to touch every stone in eyeshot. Thanks Dad! Thanks StarTalk!

[@dominiclester3232]

Nice thanks guys! Since it’s not every day I get a chance to correct Neil...the Blues stones are from Wales around 120 miles away (a bit more than a few miles). The larger stones are from within 25 miles away (Marlborough) but some are 30 tones.

[@hippygaming2740]

Mr. Tyson . . . I love how you explain things and have helped bring Science to so many people. ALSO . . . Love the comfy tattered neckline of your shirt. Double thumbs up for showing your just a normal dude like the rest of us.

[@Ajaykrishna97_]

Dr. Tyson *

[@NoniOrange]

That's my favorite part about Neil! I wear stuff out too.. Especially when it's super comfy! Stay real, Neil!

[@ranonampangom2185]

I love that Chuck is a sustainability guy

[@rogertulk8607]

I had a copy of Stonehenge Decoded which I lost in the 70s, but not before I had visited Stonehenge at a time when you could walk amongst the stones and see some of the alignments that Hawkins wrote about. It's a fascinating place and you can't go into it anymore because some yobs decided to go and break some of the blue stones later in the 70s. I don't know if they were ever caught but if they were they should've been sentenced to 5000 years in prison.

[@jfurl5900]

I agree with you and the people who moved the stones in the twenties and again in the fifties should have been locked up too.

[@secheltfishmarket6419]

That is a harsh sentence considering that there was a time when you were given a stone chipping hammer from the tour organizers, so that you could take a souvenir home.

[@rogertulk8607]

@@secheltfishmarket6419 I should like to know your source for that information.

[@dhanshekarb1276]

The reason why Stonehenge is in my head was seeing it as the default wallpaper in Windows XP. It probably registered in my mind though I paid very little attention to it and maybe as a resultant of repeatedly seeing it. It built up curiosity and I started googling it. Windows still does a good job of sparking curiosity with Spotlight - their version of lockscreen as a window into the world.

[@JohnSostrom]

Great show. When I was in high-school our science teacher gathered several of us students to do a non-school sanctioned study about this type of subject. He picked us based on the fact that each of us was crazy about space and history. It was an amazing time over 2 years that I will never forget. Thank you for your program and its deep meanings for those of us who look to truth in space and history. I would pray today's young folk are listening to these program. I pray they understand that mankind is in the middle of history in the making. A totally new frontier for all of mankind.

[@billerator]

Another quality job on this vid boys!

[@thomasrichards646]

Chuck nice is a great addition to this podcast.

[@toddblackmon]

They were very interesting to see. To help understand just how old those things are: When the Romans occupied Britain, they considered Stonehenge as an ancient landmark and would visit them as an attraction.

[@56NeilWatson]

The winter solstice is more significant as it heralds the birth of the new year with lengthening days.

[@billysbees]

My men ! Always fun and learning with you guys

[@HighDraDWG]

Neil de grasse tyson is the reason I got obsessed with space,planets,blackholes and all what sits in its void

[@sew75962]

I am always so fascinated by these man made structures made by ancient civilizations.

[@MobileCritic98]

Can we do Egyptian pyramids next 😊

[@Tarantulux]

this channel is so refreshing

[@SantiagoItzcoatl]

Reminds me of how the Aztecs (actually Mexicas) lived more than thousands years after Teotihuacan, so for them, other ancient pyramids where already part of a heritage that probably was already a mystery to them. On top of that, Mesoamerica also gathers many cities constructed in align to astronomical observance. Perhaps this could be a good opportunity to schedule a talk with an astroarcheologist or archeoastronomer.

[@Luk844]

The uncovering or ,the finding of the main/extravagantly enormous metropolis would be interesting find,perhaps using radar technology from helicopters or bi planes in the future we will know where they once existed/were established, Aztecs are a lesser understood civilisation as were the Sumerians.

[@adriwing3587]

Thanks. I am a proud grandpa now and get to enjoy your explanation of Stonehenge which I first heard and learnt in school in the 1970s. 👍

[@diegofernandez4789]

Wonderful episode. One of the best explainers.

[@kurtwoehrman3335]

Was there in 1980. Got close couldn't touch. MAGICAL PLACE. BLESSED BE 😊

[@benwu7980]

Another even older one to consider, is Newgrange in Meath, Ireland. It has a feature that is based on the winter solstice.

[@lawrencedoliveiro9104]

Most of these structures are unambiguously aligned to the winter, not the summer, solstice. So it seems likely Stonehenge is the same.

[@ashishxoxo]

I am a middle aged person from Darjeeling... working and living my life in New Delhi..but I always watch your show and be in wonder about the ways of the universe. Would be glad to meet and shake your hand Mr. Tyson. In fact it would be an extraordinary day in my lifetime. That's for sure. And Chuck, beside being funny he tickles my funny poor Indian suburb village famers bone. He better be good...in Da Next Episode 😊 admire you most

[@christianolivera8019]

Love the energy in the video & the video!! Thank you!

[@geraldstahlman7036]

Will you help me climb this tree so I can just see VENUS? please? I LOVE YOU NEIL!

[@Anne5440_]

This talk gave me a thrill. Not because I am fascinated by Stonehenge, which I am, but because of Hawkins book. I was in college when it came out taking Anthropology 101. I read Decoding Stonehenge and wrote my term paper on the book and what little was known of Stonehenge at the time. I later had duel majors of education and cultural anthropology. It pleases me that Hawkins work is being treated seriously now. I'm a star talk fan.

[@lawrencedoliveiro9104]

Duelling majors, eh ... ... (is that a banjo I hear in the distance?)

[@tuberworksjones]

Chuck and Neil ,are always making me feel relaxed when I listen.

[@FBI925]

I'm curious to know what was the earth tilt angle at that time, wouldn't the wobble of the magnetic north (and earth core) change the tilt angle slightly with time

[@macwinter7101]

There is a difference between the magnetic poles and the actual axis of Earth's rotation. The magnetic poles can move rather erratically when compared to the axis of rotation, and their movement is not a primary factor that determines shifts in the angle of Earth's rotational axis. And we are more concerned with the axis of rotation, not the magnetic poles, in cases that involve studying the relative position of objects in the sky. However, the axis of Earth's rotation also does move, but not as drastically as you may think. The axis has varied in the past million years between an angle of 22.1 and 24.5 degrees. Also, the rate at which Earth's axis shifts is very slow, where it will shift from the minimum angle to the maximum angle in a period of about 20,000 years. Stonehenge was constructed recently enough such that the angle of Earth's rotational axis was less than a degree off of what it is now. The angle now is about 23.4 degrees, and assuming Stonehenge was constructed 5,000 years ago, it would have been around 24 degrees (since the tilt was 24.5 degrees 10,700 years ago). And we can calculate the angle of Earth's axis based on models using the laws of orbital dynamics, as well as data about the timing of glacial and interglacial periods. Having said all that, due to the small range within which Earth's axis shifts, the path of the Sun in the sky, as well as the orientation of stars and other celestial bodies, would have been very similar at the time of Stonehenge's construction to what it is today. The dates associated with the shortest day, longest day, and equinoxes would have been exactly the same. Objects in the sky would be off by less than a degree, but that is hard to measure without precise technology.

[@francisjohnson665]

I have always wanted to visit Stonehenge . I am fascinated by it .

[@kickinghorse2405]

I agree with this conversation. The folks who built Stonehenge were the scientists of the day. To have modern scientists (especially astronomers) look at Stonehenge (and the Giza pyramids, Mayan and Aztec pyramid complexes, New Grange, etc. . . ) seems somehow appropriate.

[@davidyoungs1482]

I has the opportunity to visit the Stonehenge in 1968 when our High School put together a Sr. trip to England for a week. I was totally amazed by the site (which had full access back then). A couple of years later as a college Jr. was a college junior I did a term paper (Western Civilization) on Stonehenge based, for the most part, on Hawkins book. Neil, I don't know when you had your visit to the site, but it had to be superb to have Hawkins as your host. There have been multiple intensive archeological studies of Stonehenge and the surrounding area in the last 20 years with some amazing findings. It's a way more complex situation vs. Hawkin's thesis. I know you're a busy man, but you may want to spend a few minutes on this to catch up.

[@mundanestuff]

Visited Stonehenge a few weeks ago. First off, it's just off a major A road, which is weird. Driving from town to town and whoop, there's Stonehenge off in the field. Also, it's not one thing. It's surrounded by barrows and other structures. They had quite a long time to develop the display. They needed a ceremonial location. They found the cycle of the year powerful. They could see the night sky and knew about that cycle too. So they lined up their interest in the cycles with their rituals and bam, stones in a ring. We tell ourselves stories about it, because in the absence of testimony we make up answers. We do the same thing they did. Just with less long-lived structures.

[@untoldanalytics1259]

Isn’t that what you’re doing too? Like just because you believe it was for rituals doesn’t make it true. Why is your opinion somehow more valid than one of the best scientific minds of the 21st century?

[@JesHill]

I remember sitting on and climbing on the smaller ones when I was a kid. Even then it was with a sense of respect as the place screams history that boggles the mind. A humbling place.

[@wmc0076]

I find it fascinating that the bluestone dates back to 2500 bc and they originate from west Wales , that’s a 150 mile trip. Some inginuity to move them that far in those days

[@sgvincent100]

There are some excellent KZbin documentaries about the bluestone. It was quite a feat!

[@csw1278]

Mr.NEIL TYSON IS A GOOD INFORMATION TELLER ✔

[@leeds85]

It makes more sense to me that on the solstice the sunset would be more important than the sunrise. You could stand at the heel stone and looking at Stonehenge, and watch the Sun go down through the stones. Then be able to say the longest day was over, start storing food for the winter as the days would now get shorter. Also didn't the people back then consider midnight as the start of a day.

[@southerneruk]

They considered the first day of spring was the New Year's Day, which lasted, 1200s before any changes was made

[@oldedwardian1778]

We still do consider midnight as the end of one day and the START OF ANOTHER.

[@parnelpospahala6087]

On my bucket list to see that ! Good for you & staff Neil !

[@Angel_m7]

Hello Neil & Chuck! I think you guys are hilarious and wonderful teachers! I listen to you guys every night. Keep up the excellent videos 💪🏼

[@fuhaustinambe4934]

Talks always leave up to expectation, Thanks Guys

[@therealmikejones4619]

Neil, Chuck, would you consider doing an episode on the science/ science fiction of Doctor Who? And your special guest could be someone like Steven Moffat? Topics like what would the implications be if we could somehow invent/ harness the technology of the TARDIS. The real world science behind how “it’s bigger on the inside”? And possibly an astrophysical insight of the possibility of such an advanced civilization like “Time Lords” even existing. Citing examples from The Fermi Paradox, The Great Filter, and the Drake Equation. Would be a great show. Thoughts?

[@auntbeth6794]

~~Please!~~

[@Goodellsam]

Always informative and entertaining. Mad respect.

[@SmallSmartDecicions]

We need more documentaries narrated by you Neil. And more comedys by you chuck. Also a superbabe female co-host in the mix

[@SamuelTheCoello]

I second this for sure

[@danbev8542]

Why the super babe?

[@nicholaspiccirilli5537]

Love it. Your one of the realest people. Can tell through video that you are a truly great person.

[@DyreStraits]

Neil, would you consider an episode on the Sun Dagger site in Chaco Canyon? It also predicts the major and minor lunar standstills.

[@danbev8542]

Thanks for your comment. I saw the Sun Dagger in 1975 when on a college archaeology trip. I suspect that there are a number of places around the Earth that mark astronomical events. The fact that there are several does NOT negate the accomplishment of each one! Also, several years ago, I saw a PBS show of a re-enactment attempt of moving the Bluestone. I believe they rolled them on logs.

[@isatousarr7044]

"Decoding Stonehenge remains one of history's most intriguing puzzles, as researchers explore its astronomical alignments, ceremonial purposes, and the technological prowess of its ancient builders. Each new discovery adds a layer to our understanding of this enigmatic monument. What are the most compelling theories about the purpose of Stonehenge, and how do recent archaeological findings support or challenge these theories?

[@wendykleeb2071]

Our Neolithic ancestors were amazing! Astroarchology is a thing! Both hunter- gatherers and farmers must keep track of seasons for their survival. I really know they knew more about astronomy than I. BTW The residents of early Neolithic were called Western Hunter Gatherers. They had dark skin and blue eyes. Yes genetic work has been done. Pre-Indo-European migrations into England.

[@michaelvelasquez3988]

Always enjoy your conversations, keep up the great work 👍

[@RodrigoRaez]

The alien explanation is always the easy one, actually. Sacsayhuaman in Cusco, Perú, has stones of more than a hundred tons of weight, and the temptation of saying it was made by aliens is very common. But I think that since they were mostly agricultural cultures, they were always observing the sky as a reference of cycles they needed to know in order to make certain seeds to grow properly. So, they were much better sky observers than we are in these days, with cities full of lights that don't help you to get a clear vision of the sky. The same goes with the technology: they wanted to make eternal temples for the next generations to pass on and improve that knowledge, but we, ignorants of the modern era, just didn't keep on doing that.

[@jokermtb]

Chuck’s BLUESTONE shout out was epic

[@catylynch7909]

Thank you! It has long occurred to me that the "ancients," studied ... and, mastered ... the sky, and the seasons. That was almost the totality of what they had to observe, relate to, and by which they could exist. As you pointed out, they also had human brains. I also think it reasonable to assume that today's view of science VS faith, wasn't a matter of "either/or," then. The two realms had to co-exist on some level. What we call the study of "mythology," was man's need to deal with OBSERVATION, and EXPLANATION, working together. My father used to tease his theory about Stonehenge. He said that it was a practical joke. A bunch of guys were sitting around the fire, enjoying their Mead. And, they hatched a plan: -- "Hey, here's what we do. We pile some boulders around, in a circle, and make them wonder what it is. We can drive them crazy, for millennia."

[@rubolousrubi]

Neil is a so awesome Wish we had the internet in my highschool days 😢

[@RobbC.]

It's just a few miles away from me. Impressive place with lots of variants dotted all around the Country, and in fact all around the World. Seems to be one of the Worlds first Rolex's to me :)

[@StaticBlaster]

I was there in November 2019 pretty much right before the pandemic. I thought it was an awesome place to go to. In fact, I used one of the pictures I took and had Vista print make a 3 foot by 4 foot poster which is on my wall. I absolutely loved England. You're lucky that you live super close to Stonehenge.

[@zrevan4262]

I would love to go and take in the sights! You are lucky friend! Enjoy it extra for those of us who may never get to see them! ✌️

[@Thegreat772]

That road nearby is a nightmare though. Thought they were gonna make a bypass.

[@troglodytestroglodytes220]

@@Thegreat772it’ll never happen, unfortunately.

[@kaisersoze4449]

You can still touch them and even climb on them a bit, once a year for summer solstice. We went this year because we were in the area at the right time. They have food trucks and portable toilets and police enforcement at the gate. Thousands of people, it was pretty incredible.

[@garethblake7374]

The amazing stone henge archaeology story recently is the discovery of the quarry in the Preseli mountains, and then the original location for the blue stones nearby. Prof Alice Roberts made a TV programme about it.

[@lawrencedoliveiro9104]

Preseli mountains ... I understand there are elves there. Elves ... Preseli ... geddit ...

[@southerneruk]

I have seen that doc, it is interesting, only thing they got wrong was the use of logs as rollers. A rigger son broke that last secret of how the stones was moved and erected

[@LimeyTX]

I grew up in Bath in the ‘50s and occasionally we would go to Stonehenge for the day. In those days it was just in a farmer’s field. We would open the gate and Dad would drive the car in. There might be one or two other cars there and we would picnic and play near the stones. Of course, these days you have to pay and you can’t get anywhere near the stones and there are always scores of people there. There are precious few advantages to being old but this is one of them.

[@mikotagayuna8494]

Ylvis has a good explainer on Stonehenge. Is it a giant birthday cake or a prison far too easy to escape?

[@Omegatonboom]

Hey Dr. Neil The Grace Tyson (thanks voice to text I'm not even going to correct it). I've been going through some rough stuff... but hearing your explanations and wild laughter while talking about incredible topics kind of keeps me going sometimes. Even if it's just a distraction. I was/still am the type of kid that would go to the library, THE LIBRARY, and I would pull the max book limit and all I would get was science books of all kinds and biology books and astronomy books. Okay fine... I also grabbed a couple Garfield comics. Don't judge me! And now I have KZbin and I don't ever *actually read* much about anymore and I kind of feel guilty about it. I somehow erratically change the subject lol.. Ok, just let me go okay! You're an inspiration and everything you do all of the time makes me smile!! Thank you for being you!!

[@wildfoodietours]

Love Neil's rational explanations for mysterious topics.

[@oldedwardian1778]

As always a great video. I want to tell a story that might be apocryphal but any way. There was a large RAF base near Stonehenge during WWII, the stones were quite close to the glide path of some of the larger planes and were considered to be a hazard. There was a serious consideration to remove the stones for that reason. Fortunately cooler heads prevailed and STONEHENGE WAS SAVED.

[@Cthulhu013]

To ancient farmers, the summer solstice would be significant to calculate, as it would inform how much longer in the season you have before winter comes. Relevant for crops.

[@Cthulhu013]

@Robert Taylor What a rambling nonsensical mess. You have zero evidence.

[@Cthulhu013]

@Robert Taylor You clearly do not understand the value of evidence. Not surprising.

[@Cthulhu013]

@Robert Taylor It's my job to take this seriously. Literally.

[@user-vz8pb2fk5d]

It is a sun dial

[@rossnrice]

You guys make me smile

[@reneeimage486]

Neil De grass Tyson’s , has a gift of connecting to you in a level that makes you feel like you know something about science and galaxies! 🤓Lol !! Thats how he makes you interested to learn, and that’s what’s special about him! 🤩

[@msmith53]

That is the common skill of REAL genius=== To simplify complex issues and have the ability to make the complications understandable to lesser minds! Read “Philosophy for Dummies” by Tom V Morris”, another genius!

[@reneeimage486]

@@msmith53 I don’t know if I would use the word lesser minds! That’s a rude statement! The human mind is certainly not lesser, is just not been trained in certain subjects or never had a interest in them! I also don’t like title of those books for Dummies it is actually a turn off, the title Sounds arrogant and condescending! In my opinion. But I agree with you about the genius of Neil Tysons! He is amazingly humble and fun to watch and listen to , that’s how you learn from him! 🤩

[@francisfischer7620]

You two guys are do delightful!!

[@vredrick_]

Hi. I’m from Pohnpei, Micronesia(a small Pacific Island country). We have place similar to stonehenge call Nan Madol that is also thousands of years old.

[@whiteveinsmusic]

Hi thank you so much for your videos and research and everything you do! I am curious what the attraction to blue stone was for them and if you have any theories? I've heard about the proposed acoustic/resonant properties and I feel like I remember seeing someone somewhere (so vague) 'decode' its base resonant frequency (I want to say it was below 100Hz but am extremely uncertain there), and am curious if you've toyed with that? Thank you again! and sorry for being a year late on this video !

[@hoarder66]

Plot twist: Neil's primary job as head alien on Earth is to reaffirm the belief that aliens r not among us😂

[@ItssGrimm]

Very insightful as usual👍

[@tigwhite883]

Neil is an awesome guy, I wish he was my father. 😄

[@BobWeaver3000]

Thanks guys, prior to this video, all of my Stonehenge knowledge was derived from the documentary "This is Spinal Tap".

[@oldmanSturzl]

People who lived with that level of technology might as well be aliens. I'm sure they would feel that way about us!

[@irenaveksler1935]

Not true bro

[@Yessirski246]

What if I told you we are aliens on earth… we’re the only creatures/mammals on earth that isn’t from here - if you compare our biology with other animals which naturally evolved here you will noticed our bodies isn’t suitable for earths environment. We get sun burned, become sick easily, our circadian natural cycle doesn’t match that of earths but of mars more , etc. Scientists say that theirs a planet which comes into orbit around the sun near Neptune every 10,000-20,000 years. Plus their is evidence that our planetary census is incomplete. That planet is the 9th planet (nibiru) which is mentioned and talked about in physical ancient texts/tablets dating back 4,000-30,000+ years. These texts say that these beings called the “Annunaki” (which is what you would be called if you are from nibiru) fled from their dying planet in search for gold on earth to bring back and save their planet. When they landed here in Mesopotamia they found humans which were primates and decided to enslave them to mine gold for them which they eventually genetically modified a human here by adding their essence and that human was called “Adama” and that’s when the story of all major religions start with “Adam and Eve”…

[@iainholmes2735]

Interesting vid. Good to hear Neil talk about the standing stones here in the UK.

[@jfreshh330]

Why wasn’t Chuck invited id low key be upset

[@jamesneal1129]

I sure deep down he was. Since the other staff was.

[@loranelizabeth9148]

You two are so much fun! Thanks!~~~

[@chihuahuadachshund4264]

You used to be able to touch the rocks but people kept chipping bits of it to take as souvenirs

[@patriciaburke2401]

Great teamwork!

[@scottmcintosh2988]

There is an American Stonehenge Salem NH. Found another one in Fresno CA. Now under a Levi !

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Ancient people didn't have TV at night to watch and they didn't have light pollution so they had a spectacular night sky to look up at during the night to wonder about. It seems Lord Chuck should have been invited to Stonehenge.

[@AndrewKropff]

This is a cool surface level decoding of Stonehenge and I'm glad a mainstream person like Neil deGrasse Tyson is talking about it. The code beneath the design of Stonehenge is actually far far more complex and far more interesting. The ratios between the various circles (of which there were many more when it was built vs what exists today) are identical to geometric ratios found on Earth and beyond. Stonehenge is evidence that ancient peoples had a very accurate idea of the circumference of the Earth and the Moon, and even the distances between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. These ratios are identical the ones used by the builders of the great pyramids, and many other constructions over history (hi, Glastonbury!). Neil is correct in his opinion that ancient peoples knew what they were doing -- they had very sophisticated knowledge of geometry and astronomy, so much so that they were compelled to build these sort of structures with the technology they had. So the next time someone tells you that people used to think the world was flat, call B.S. Proto-Druids, ancient Egyptians, ancient Greeks, and so many other ancient peoples had way more understanding of the nature world than Christopher Columbus and the churches of the time could ever fathom. If you're interested in an analysis of the ancient mathematic understandings of our ancestors (no aliens involved, sorry! Just pure mathematical and geometric proofs), I strongly recommend checking out the book Dimensions of Paradise by John Michell. It can get pretty dense with the math (really dense at times, so freshen up on your geometry), but it is a wonderful and enlightening read that I advise to anyone remotely involved.