Neolithic Structures Index


Blakeley Raise     Cleator Moor, Cumberland, England    16.7m diameter    11 stones

Latitude 54.512882   Longitude  -3.453516      grid reference NY060140

54.512882   -3.453516

A definite and clear structure of 11 stones, that seems to consist of two arcs.  The points of origin of the arcs are marked by what appear to be stones, although this is not certain.  Two of the stones lie approximately along the north/south axis which would point to the North Star, a useful guide to the traveller.  The west/south arc (radius 2) covers part of the moonset progression.  This stone circle was partially restored in 1925 by a Dr Quine of Frizington by replacing fallen stones in concrete.  This may not have been as it was originally built if the site had been wrecked.

Please refer to the diagram and photos below.

 The Position of a Sunrise  -

The first view of a clear sunrise is of a bright point of light.  This is the top of the sun.  The point is small and it's position can be accurately placed.  As the sun continues to rise the glow around it tends to mask it and makes the position less easy to place.  On a hazy morning it may be impossible to distinguish between the sun itself and the glow around it,  thus the point at which the bottom of the sun clears the ground cannot be seen.  See photographs below.

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