Talk:Henge

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A Henge is a circular or sub-circular prehistoric enclosure unique to the British Isles defined by a raised circular bank, and a circular ditch which normally runs inside the bank. Without incurring nationalistic rage, how is one to define Goseck circle, since it is so clearly outside this definition of a "henge?" I selected "circle" when I wrote that entry, not to get embroiled. Any Florence Chadwicks here to swim La Manche and make a link to Goseck circle? Not me, for one. Wetman 22:10, 6 May 2004 (UTC)


 * I still find it odd that "unique to the British Isles" is part of the archaeological definition of "henge," rather than being a matter of discussing where "henges"&mdash; in the most accepted archaeologists' sense&mdash; are actually located. A discussion of some specific examples that an educated but neutral observer might naturally take for henges, and why they are not henges in adamsan's unique definition, might help the Wikipedia reader. It appears that if an earthen ring around stones is for defense the structure is not a "henge"; but whether the ring is located inside or outside the ditch is not diagnostic among professionals.Wetman 19:46, 5 Jul 2004 (UTC)


 * Hi Wetman. Here is the definition of a henge. This is what all archaeologists accept it to be, including myself; try typing henge definition into Google. If you have substantiated examples of a wider geographical distribution of henges then please include them. Regarding your second point, surely our time is better spent describing what a henge is rather than what it isn't, the former seems to me to render the latter unnecessary.  Stone circles exist, henges exist, sometimes they are present at the same site. Nobody has said that an earth ring surrounding a stone circle is for defence, merely that a ditch within a bank would be an illogical defensive configuration which leads archaeologists to discount that interpretation. There are plenty of Neolithic monuments with external ditches, see causewayed enclosure. adamsan  20:18, 5 Jul 2004 (UTC)


 * I'm afraid the British and Irish have fist dibs on 'henge' Wetman. Earthworks come in many, many different morphologiocal classifications some with names and some with just Type numbers. As I understand it, the important thing about a henge is the internal ditch which is not employed elsewhere as it obviously serves little *functional* purpose as a barrier. Whatever word the Germans call their monuments would be the natural home for Gosek. With great affection --adamsan 08:57, 7 May 2004 (UTC)

There's still no link to any Wikipedia sites beyond the ditch to compare to, or any distinctions given between a British henge and a continental "ring" or "circle." They would illuminate the reader. Without affectation. Wetman 15:15, 8 May 2004 (UTC)


 * Hello Wetman. How are you? I am very well! I suppose an amended enclosure entry would be starting points for that whole prehistoric circle making craze. Henge and stone circle and whatever the Germans call Gosek could all be linked neatly from there along with other worldwide examples. I fear we'd need a polyglot archaeologist to get the terminology right for all these types though. Perhaps we could ask the international Wiki archaeology writers to pitch in? It would also be necessarily vague due to all the regional and chronological differences so we'd have to sure we weren't exposing ourselves to accusations of DicDef-ing.
 * I'm sorry to hear your affectations are missing, I'm sure I saw some on your User page, why don't you check there? Tee hee! adamsan 15:58, 8 May 2004 (UTC)

Some of the finest and best-known henges include Avebury Henge, about 20 miles N. of Stonehenge on, The Ring O'Bookan in Orkney, Thornborough Henge complex in Yorkshire and the Great Circle at Stanton Drew in Wiltshire. It sure sounds as if some British henges are locally called "Ring" or "Great Circle." Wetman 22:23, 12 May 2004 (UT)


 * Paul Bahn's The Penguin Archaeology Guide doesn't say anything about henges being British, and he's the editor of the New Penguin Dictionary of Archaeology. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dougweller (talk • contribs) 5 April 2008

Ring of Bookan vs. Ring of Brodgar
The most famous stone circle in Orkney is the Ring of Brodgar, not the Ring of Bookan (which as of this writing doesn't even have its own page yet). The latter is nothing but a mound - a very interesting mound that was likely a magnificent stone circle, but a mound nonetheless. The Ring of Brodgar on the other hand is largely intact, with 27 of the 60 original stones still in place. It surprises me that anyone could make this error, given the obscurity of Bookan compared to Brodgar. Thorf 06:32, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

Very precise definition
I've never seen an archeology term defined with such precision before. The definition seems terribly precise, as though the ancient builders used exacting floor plans. The definition provided comes from a UK government web site, making it look more like a legal term for conservation purposes rather than an archeology term. What happens if a henge is found that is a bit less than 20 metres?


 * I think it's just a term used to classify things for the benefit of both government and archeology. It's not really that precise - Stonehenge, for example, doesn't qualify as a henge under the strictest interpretation! Gymnophoria (talk) 12:33, 23 July 2010 (UTC)

Merger Henge monument, Henge enclosure, and Hengiform monument, into Henge
Please see discussion on Articles for deletion/Henge monument as a central place to discuss this proposal, which was triggered by the AfD proposal for Henge monument. Aarghdvaark (talk) 22:58, 5 July 2010 (UTC)

AfD/Henge monument result was to merge all 3 pages into henge. Done - just tidying up to do now. Aarghdvaark (talk) 07:40, 10 July 2010 (UTC)

International aspects
This page only seems to cover the British Isles. Afraid I'm ignorant on the subject, but are henges are particularly British feature, or do they appear elsewhere in Europe and further afield? If so perhaps would be a good idea to flag this page for expansion. Gymnophoria (talk) 12:31, 23 July 2010 (UTC)
 * This is a tricky area and I'm not aware its really been discussed fully on wiki, except on a few scattrered talk pages and edit summaries. The predominant school of thought (as I see it at any rate) is that henge's are a British phenomena. There are a few similar monuments in Europe, but they are mostly of a different design and (assumed) purpose. For example Goloring. One day, when I have time, I'll check it a bit more thoroughly. I don't think its worth an expansion tag though. Even if they do exist outside of Britain, they are definately a British centric monument. Cheers, Ranger Steve (talk) 12:51, 23 July 2010 (UTC)

A source
1 - Jack Sebastian (talk) 08:56, 2 October 2010 (UTC)

External links modified
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 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/web/20130602215010/http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/sub/henen1.htm to http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/sub/henen1.htm

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External links modified
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Henges in Galicia (Spain)
There are confirmed references of the existence of henges in NW of Ibearian Peninsula, in Galicia region. It should be referenced in the article. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Nachonion (talk • contribs) 08:46, 16 July 2019 (UTC)