Which feature of Stonehenge most clearly demonstrates intentional solar alignment rather than chance orientation?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The axis defined by the Heel Stone and Slaughter Stone is the clearest demonstration of intentional solar alignment.

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- An intentional astronomical alignment requires a repeatable sightline from a human vantage point to a specific point on the horizon (for example, the rising/setting point of the Sun on a solstice).
- Stonehenge has a clearly defined central axis running northeast–southwest; the Heel Stone lies outside the main circle on the northeast side, and the Slaughter Stone (inside the circle) lies along that same line.
- Archaeological and archaeoastronomical observations show that this axis corresponds to the position of sunrise at the summer solstice (and sunset at the winter solstice) as seen from the monument’s center.

2) Step‑by‑step reasoning
- Identify the geometry: draw a straight line through the center of Stonehenge extending northeast; this line passes through the Slaughter Stone and then the Heel Stone.
- Observe the solar event: on the summer solstice the Sun rises at a point on the northeast horizon that lies very close to that line when viewed from the monument’s center.
- Repeatability and visibility: because the same horizon point is reached annually, the alignment can be used to mark the solstice reliably.
- Intentionality inference: aligning massive stones to a precise horizon point requires planning and labor; this repeated, precise correspondence is far less likely to be random orientation.

3) Intermediate steps / measurement logic
- Establish center of monument as observer point.
- Measure azimuth of the line through Slaughter Stone → center → Heel Stone.
- Compare that azimuth to the azimuth of summer solstice sunrise at Stonehenge’s latitude; the close match indicates deliberate alignment.

4) Why the correct answer is correct
The axis provides a direct, functional sightline that marks a solar event (solstice sunrise/set). That specific, repeatable visual relationship between stones and solar position is the hallmark of intentional astronomical alignment.

5) Why other options are incorrect
- Number of bluestones and trilithons: counts could reflect cultural or construction choices, not directional alignment to the Sun.
- Symmetry of the sarsen circle: symmetry alone doesn’t indicate a particular orientation toward a horizon point.
- Number of Aubrey Holes: hole counts might relate to ritual or calendrical ideas but do not themselves establish a visible solar sightline.

Conclusion: The axis defined by the Heel Stone and Slaughter Stone most clearly demonstrates intentional solar alignment; this matches the provided correct answer.

Which feature of Stonehenge most clearly demonstrates intentional solar alignment rather than chance orientation?单项选择题

类似问题

Which of the following statements about Stonehenge is true?

Which of these is not a part of Stonehenge?

Question at position 8 An excess of growth hormone (GH) before puberty can result in the development ofgigantism.Graves' disease.acromegaly.pituitary dwarfism.Clear my selection

Question at position 6 The most abundant supporting cells in the central nervous system are called Question Blank 1 of 1[input].

Question at position 5 In the eye, the lens functions tofocus light on the retina at the back of the eye.protect the surface of the eye.increase vision in low-light conditions.move the eye side to side.Clear my selection

Question at position 4 Olfactory (odor) receptors are chemoreceptors. TrueFalse

If the pKa of HCHO2 is 3.74 and the pH of an HCHO2/NaCHO2 solution is 3.00, which of the following is TRUE?

Identify the missing particle in the following nuclear equation: 92 236 𝑈 → 38 90 𝑆 𝑟 + ? + 2 0 1 𝑛 + 4 0 0 𝑔

更多留学生实用工具

智能学习助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单