Alexander Thom's megalithic yard theory and MacKie's supporting research at BROCKS LINN. Alexander Thom proposed the megalithic yard (0.829 meters/32.8 inches) as a standard unit for laying out stone circles MacKie conducted parallel research at BROCKS LINN, an Iron Age building in Scotland, finding evidence of exactly circular construction MacKie found evidence that a minority of stone circles are elliptical and suggest use of a standard unit of length
Alexander Thom proposed that prehistoric builders used a standardized unit called the 'megalithic yard' (0.829 meters) to lay out stone circles. MacKie later supported this at BROCKS LINN in Scotland - an Iron Age settlement (1500-500 BC) where he found evidence of exactly circular construction. His research suggests some stone circles are elliptical and point to systematic knowledge of geometry and basic measurement units among these ancient builders.
Key Facts
- Alexander Thom proposed the megalithic yard (0.829 meters/32.8 inches) as a standard unit for laying out stone circles
- MacKie conducted parallel research at BROCKS LINN, an Iron Age building in Scotland, finding evidence of exactly circular construction
- MacKie found evidence that a minority of stone circles are elliptical and suggest use of a standard unit of length
- MacKie argues the stone circle builders had systematic knowledge of geometry and basic measurement units
Related site: BROCKS LINN — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Geometry, Measure and Astronomy in Ancient Britain | Dr Euan MacKie | Megalithomania Interview by MegalithomaniaUK