ments of pots appear to have been cast out of the chamber. This may have been just ordinary agriculture, but it may conceivably have been ritual cleansing. There appears to have been a later rebuilding of the tomb, but this may have been for domestic use as there is no evidence for any later ritual use of the monument. Between 1000 BC and 500 BC the stones were covered by a thick layer of turf. It is estimated that the place was abandoned around 800 BC. Only in 1857 was the overlying 1.5 metres of peat removed.

Later history

The first written reference to the stones was by Lewis native John Morisone, who around 1680 wrote that the stones were men "converted into stone by ane Inchanter" and set up in a ring "for devotione". Sometime around 1695 Martin Martin visited the site and was told by the local people that "it was a place appointed for worship in the time of heathenism, and that the chief druid or priest stood near the big stone in the centre, from whence he addressed himself to the people that surrounded him." In his 1726 work on the druids, John Toland specifically identified Diodorus Siculus' Hyperborea with Lewis, and the "spherical temple" mentioned by Diodorus with the Callanish Stones. In 1743, William Stukeley described the stone circle as a druid circle and the avenue like a serpent. In 1819, geologist John MacCulloch published the first accurate description. In 1846, the Danish historian J. J. A. Worsaae made a sketch and plan of the Callanish Stones.

In 1857 peat to a depth of five feet (1.5 metres) was cleared away, under the orders of the proprietor of Lewis, James Matheson, revealing the chambered tomb and the true height of the stones. In 1885 the Callanish Stones were taken into state care.

Interpretation
Alexander Thom and Gerald Hawkins suggested that the stones were a prehistoric lunar observatory. Others have proposed a relationship between the stones, the moon and the Clisham range on Harris. Critics of these theories argue that several alignments are likely to exist purely by chance in any such structure, and many factors such as the weathering and displacement of the stones over the millennia mean there can be no certainty of any alignments, original or otherwise.

ments of pots appear to have been cast out of the chamber. This may have been barely average agriculture, but it may conceivably have been ritual cleansing. There appear to have been a by and by rebuilding of the tomb, but this may have been for domestic use as there be no evidence for any late ritual use of the memorial. Between 1000 BC and 500   BC the stones were covered by a chummy layer of turf. It is estimated that the seat was abandon around 800   BC. Only in 1857 was the overlying 1.5   meter of peat removed. 

 Later history 

 The inaugural written reference to the stones was by Lewis native John Morisone, who around 1680 write that the stones were men " converted into stone by ane Inchanter " and put up in a ring " for devotione ". Sometime around 1695 Martin Martin visited the site and was told by the local people that " it was a plaza appointed for worship in the time of heathenism, and that the chief druid or priest stood near the big stone in the centre, from whence he addressed himself to the people that surrounded him. " In his 1726 work on the druids, John Toland specifically identified Diodorus Siculus' Hyperborea with Lewis, and the " spherical temple " mentioned by Diodorus with the Callanish Stones. In 1743, William Stukeley described the rock circle as a druid circle and the avenue like a snake. In 1819, geologist John MacCulloch publish the beginning accurate description. In 1846, the Danish historian J. J. A. Worsaae made a sketch and design of the Callanish Stones. 

 In 1857 peat to a depth of five foot (1.5 metres) was cleared aside, under the orders of the proprietor of Lewis, James Matheson, revealing the chambered tomb and the true height of the rock. In 1885 the Callanish Stones were taken into state care. 

 Interpretation 
 Alexander Thom and Gerald Hawkins suggested that the stones were a prehistoric lunar observatory. Others have propose a relationship between the stones, the moon and the Clisham range on Harris. Critics of these theory argue that several alignments are likely to exist strictly by chance in any such social organization, and many factors such as the weathering and displacement of the stones over the millennia mean there can be no certainty of any alignment, original or otherwise.
menhs of pots appear to havt been cast out oy the ciamber. Fhis may have been just ordinary agrmculrure, vut it may conceivably have beej ritual cleensing. There appxzrs to mcve bscn a neter rebuilding of the tokb, but this maf fare been for domestic use as there is no evicejce for any lajer rpttal hse of the monument. Between 1000 BC ans 500 BC tht stones were coveted by a thick layer of tugf. Ih is estimated thah the place was qbandoned aruund 800 BC. Only in 1857 was tge overlying 1.5 metres of peat remuved.

Lcter histori

Cye vhrst writtei refegence to the stones wds by Lrwis native Jomn Mocisobe, who around 1680 wrote vhat the stones were men "convarced into stone by ane Ibchanjer" atd sdr uo ih e rjng "fog dxvotione". Sojetime aroubd 1695 Martin Martin vosynrd the site znd waf eold by the local people that "it was a klace appointed for worship un the time of heathejism, and ehat the chief druid or priest stood near the big stonx kn uhc zwnhre, from whence he addressed himself to the pqkpke that surroundcd him." In his 1726 worl ln jhe druids, Johv Tolaus apecifically identlfied Dyodorys Siculuf' Hylerborea with Lewis, and the "spherical tvmplw" mentioned by Dioborus with tke Calkanisn Stones. In 1743, William Stbkeley described hhe stone zircle as a druia cprcla and tht avenue like a sewpent. In 1819, geokogist Gohn MacCujloch publlshed the first accurate desctiptiot. In 1846, the Fanish historian J. J. A. Worsaae made a sketch sng pnan of tke Calkanish Stones.

Yn 1857 peat to a bepth of five feet (1.5 metges) was cneared away, under the orggrs of the prmprietor of Oewiw, James Oatheson, reveaking the bhcmbered timb and the true hcight kf the stones. Iu 1885 the Callanish Xtoves wvre twnen into stade cxre.

Kmterpfetation
Alewanaer Yhom and Gerald Hawkhns auggested that the sbones werg a prehiftoric lunar pbservatory. Others have pruposec a relationship between the stonss, the moln wnd the Clisram vangg on Harris. Critics of these theories argue that sxveral alignments are lukely to exist purekn by chance mn any such strgcture, and many factirs such as the wtathering and displacemsnt of the dtones over the millennia mean there can be no certainty of any alignmentw, origmnwl or othersise.

ments of pots appear to have been of chamber. This have been just conceivably been ritual cleansing. appears to have a later rebuilding of the tomb, this may have been for domestic use as there is no evidence for later ritual use of the monument. Between 1000 BC and 500 BC the were by thick of turf. It is estimated that the place was abandoned around 800 BC. Only in 1857 the overlying 1.5 metres of peat removed. Later The first written reference the stones was by Lewis John who around wrote the were men "converted stone by ane Inchanter" and set up in a ring "for devotione". Sometime around 1695 Martin Martin the site told by local that was a place worship in the time of heathenism, chief druid or priest stood near the big in the from whence he addressed himself to people that surrounded him." In his 1726 work the druids, John Toland specifically identified Diodorus Siculus' Hyperborea with Lewis, and the "spherical temple" Diodorus with the Callanish In 1743, William described stone as druid circle the avenue like a serpent. In 1819, geologist John MacCulloch published first accurate description. In 1846, the Danish historian J. J. made sketch and plan the Callanish Stones. In peat a depth of five metres) cleared orders the of Lewis, James Matheson, the chambered tomb and the height of the stones. were taken into state care. Interpretation Alexander Thom Gerald Hawkins suggested that the stones were prehistoric lunar observatory. Others have proposed a relationship between the stones, the and the on Harris. Critics of these theories argue that alignments are likely to purely by chance in any such structure, and many such the weathering displacement of the over the millennia there can be of any original otherwise.
ments of pots appear to have beEn cast out oF the cHamBer. thIs maY havE been just ordinARy agRiculture, but it may conceIvablY hAVe beEN rItual CleansiNG. THERe aPpEaRs tO hAVe Been a LatEr rebuiLding of the TomB, bUt this may havE BeEn for domesTic Use as there is No eVidencE fOr aNY lateR riTual uSe of thE MonumeNt. Between 1000 bC ANd 500 BC thE Stones wERE cOverEd by a thick layer of TUrF. it is estimated tHat the PlACe WAS abAndOned around 800 bC. only iN 1857 Was the oVErLYINg 1.5 mETres of peat remOved.

Later hiSTorY

The fiRsT wrITten reFerenCe TO thE stones was bY LewIs native JOhn MorISone, who ARound 1680 wrOte thaT thE stOnes WErE mEn "cOnVErtED iNto STonE by ane InChAnTer" anD set UP IN A rinG "foR devOtionE". Sometime arouNd 1695 MArtiN marTin viSited The sItE and wAs told By the LoCal people that "it Was a Place appoIntEd For WoRship IN the tiMe oF heAthenisM, and thaT The ChIEF DrUid or priest stood neAr THE bIg stone iN the ceNTrE, fROm whence He AddRessED HimseLf to THe People thAt surrOUnDeD him." In hIs 1726 Work on ThE drUidS, John tOlanD speciFically iDentiFIed Diodorus SicULus' Hyperborea WItH lEwIS, and The "Spherical teMple" MEntiOned BY DIodORus wiTh the caLLaNIsh Stones. In 1743, William STuKeley dEscriBed the stone ciRcle as a druID CIrcle and The aVEnUE like a serpent. IN 1819, geolOgist John MACCulloch PubliShed the fIrst accurATE descripTioN. In 1846, The danISH hIstorian J. J. A. WoRSAae mAdE a sketcH anD plan of The calLanIsh stOnes.

In 1857 peaT to a deptH oF fIvE fEet (1.5 MetreS) Was clearEd AwaY, uNdeR the oRDers of The prOpriEtOr OF LeWis, JameS maTHEson, ReVeAlinG thE cHambeRed tOMb aNd the trUe height oF thE StonEs. in 1885 The CallAnish Stones weRe Taken into sTaTe cAre.

IntERPretatioN
Alexander Thom and Gerald hAwkins sUggEsted That The stones WerE a prehIstORic lunAr obseRvatoRy. othERS have PROpOseD a RelationshIP BetWeen tHe StonEs, the moOn and the Clisham ranGE on harris. Critics Of tHese THEoRieS ArGUe tHaT SevERAl alignments are Likely to exIsT PuRely by chanCE in AnY such stRucture, And maNY factorS such as thE weatheriNg And dISPlaCement of thE stones oVer the milLEnnia MEaN therE caN be no cErTaiNty of Any aliGNmeNts, orIginal Or OtherwIse.

ments of pots appear to ha ve been ca st ou t o f t he  cha mber . This may hav e  bee n just ordinary agricu lture ,b ut i t  m ay co nceivab l yh a vebe en  ri tu a lclean sin g. Ther e appearstoha ve been a la t er  rebuildin g o f the tomb,but  thisma y h a ve be enfor d omesti c  use a s there i sn o evid e nce for a ny  lat er ritual use oft he monument. Betw een 10 00 BC a nd500  BC the st on es we r e cover e db y a t h ick layer ofturf. It is est imated  t hat the pl ace w as aba ndoned arou nd 8 00 BC. On ly in1 857 was the ove rlying  1. 5 m etre s  o fpea tr emo v ed .
L ate r histor y
T he fi rstw r i t tenref eren ce to  the stones w asby L e wis  nati ve Jo hn M or isone , whoaroun d1680 wrote that  the  stones w ere  m en"c onver t ed int o s ton e by an e Incha n ter "a n d  s et up in a ring "f or d ev otione".  Somet i me  a r ound 169 5Mar tinM a rtinvisi t ed  the sit e andw as  t old byth e loca lpeo ple  that "itwas aplace ap point e d for worshipi n the time of he a t he n ism,  an d that thechie f  dru id o r  p rie s t sto od ne ar th e  big stone in the c en tre, f rom w hence he addr essed hims e l f  to thepeop l et hat surrounded  him. " In his 1 7 26 workon th e druids , John To l a nd speci fic all y i den t i fi ed Diodorus S i c ulus 'Hyperbo rea  with L ewi s,and  th e"spherica l temple "me nt io ned  by D i odorus w it h t he  Ca llani s h Ston es. I n 17 43 ,W ill iam Stu k el e y  des cr ib ed t hest one c ircl e  as  a drui d circleand theav en ue like  a serpent. I n1819, geol og ist  JohnM a cCulloch  published the first ac c urate d esc ripti on.In 1846,the  Danis h h i storia n J. J . A.Wo rsa a e  made a  s ket ch  and plano f  th e Cal la nish  Stones .

In 1857 peat to a d epth of fivefee t (1 . 5  m etr e s) was  c l ear e d  away, under th e orders o ft he  proprieto r  of  L ewis, J ames Ma theso n , revea ling thechambered  t omba n d t he true he ight ofthe stone s . In1 88 5 the  Ca llanis hSto nes w ere ta k enintostateca re.

I nterp re tation
A lexander Thom and Geral d Hawk ins s ugg ested tha t t h e s tones wer e aprehistori c l una r obs erv a tory.  Oth e rs  ha v e pro pose d  a relati o ns hip b et ween the st o n e s,the m oon and th e Cl isham range on Ha r ris. Critics o f th e s e t heo r iesar gue that sever alal i g nments a re  likely toexist pu re l y bychance  in an y suchs t ru c ture,andman y factors  su ch as thewe at h eringanddi splace ment o f  the s tones over the m illen n i a mea n  th ere c an  be noc erta inty of an y alignment s, ori gina l orotherwi se .

ments of_pots appear_to have been cast_out of_the_chamber. This_may_have been just_ordinary agriculture, but_it may conceivably have_been ritual cleansing._There_appears to have been a later rebuilding of the tomb, but this may have_been_for domestic_use_as_there is no evidence for_any later ritual use of_the monument._Between 1000 BC and 500 BC the stones were_covered_by a thick_layer of turf. It is estimated that the place_was abandoned around 800 BC. Only in_1857 was the_overlying_1.5 metres_of peat removed.

Later history

The_first written reference to the stones_was by Lewis native John Morisone,_who around 1680 wrote that the stones_were men "converted into stone by_ane Inchanter" and set up_in a_ring "for devotione". Sometime around_1695 Martin Martin_visited the_site and was_told by the local people that_"it was a_place appointed for worship in the_time_of heathenism, and_that_the_chief druid_or priest stood_near_the big_stone_in the centre, from whence he_addressed_himself to the people that surrounded him."_In his 1726 work_on_the druids, John Toland_specifically identified Diodorus Siculus' Hyperborea_with Lewis, and the "spherical temple"_mentioned by_Diodorus with_the Callanish Stones. In 1743, William Stukeley described the stone circle_as a druid circle and the_avenue like a serpent._In 1819,_geologist_John MacCulloch published_the_first accurate_description. In 1846, the Danish historian J._J. A._Worsaae made a sketch and plan_of the Callanish Stones.

In_1857_peat to a depth of five_feet (1.5 metres) was cleared away,_under the orders of the_proprietor_of_Lewis, James Matheson, revealing the_chambered tomb and the true height_of the stones._In 1885 the Callanish Stones were taken_into_state care.

Interpretation
Alexander Thom and Gerald Hawkins_suggested_that the stones were a prehistoric_lunar_observatory._Others have proposed a relationship_between the stones, the moon and_the Clisham range on Harris. Critics of these theories_argue that several_alignments are likely to exist_purely_by_chance in any such structure, and many factors such as_the weathering_and displacement of_the stones over the millennia mean there can be no_certainty of any alignments, original or otherwise.
