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A remarkable study published today may explain the origins of certain unexplained archaeological sites in South Gloucestershire. The sites comprise a double pair of pits usually paralleled by a second set some distance away and a grid of lines and circles and half circles. They are usually described as being connected with sun worship however similar sites have been discovered in south Africa where documentary evidence suggests that the were still being used in the nineteenth century. Among the N'dabele the head of an enemy was struck between the posts in a ritual battle between two clans and cases where different nations competed are suggested. Professor Would Coup of Natal Jestertag University said, "This is a remarkable sign of an international culture. There are similar sites in the southern USA, probably of Anzanian origin; in the region of New Orleans though in these cases the grid lines appear closer together. I hope we will also find evidence of other South African rituals such as Aru and Wundayiner, though physical evidence of the latter is difficult to discover as they appear to be on completely deserted sites. More details are in the full report. Could you circulate this to anyone you think might be interested David Evans Historic Environment Record Officer Planning and Environment Planning, Transportation & Strategic Environment PO Box 2081 The Council Offices, Castle Street Thornbury South Gloucestershire BS35 9BP Phone: 01454 863649 fax: 01454 865173 ___________________________________________________________________________ South Gloucestershire Council - rated under the Comprehensive Performance Assessment a maximum '4 star' council by the Audit Commission ____________________________________________________________________________ This email and any files transmitted with it from South Gloucestershire Council are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the South Gloucestershire Council Postmasterat the address below. [log in to unmask] _____________________________________________________________________________