WELLINGTON: NORTH WAIRARAPA

02-Nov-13

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Stonehenge Aotearoa

star rating of 4

by Chris Gaelic

51 Ahiaruhe Rd, Ahiaruhe, South Wairarapa, Wellington

rvexplorer id: 18732

Lat-Long: -41.0997, 175.57935

Stonehenge Aotearoa building

 

Sculpture

 

Sighting hole

 

Stonehenge Aotearoa has been set up by the Wellington Astronomical Society to demonstrate how 'henges' were used thousands of years ago to measure the seasons.

 

This was a real eye-opener for us. The only henge we knew about was Stonehenge in the UK, and that it was built by the Druids for some strange religious purpose.

 

Apparently, henges were quite common across Europe at the time, and were used to mark the seasons, much like we now use a calendar. They weren't all made of stone, and even the henge in the UK was originally made of less permanent material.

 

Stonehenge Aoteraroa has been set up to properly mark our seasons here in New Zealand, and works just as the European ones would have done. Fascinating.

 

There is a video describing the history of the henges, and how they were used, and you can walk around the henge to see the sun's shadow and the henge in action.

 

The driveway in was quite tight. We didn't have any problem with our 8m van, but it might be more difficult for larger motorhomes or caravans.

Stonehenge Aotearoa Visitor Centre

 

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