
33 
PHENICIANS BUILDERS OF STONEHENGE. 
I should like to add briefly some reasons for my belief that. 
Stonehenge was built by the Phoenicians. But the principal 
intention of this paper is only to consider why the outlying stones 
and mounds were placed where they are, and to attempt to find 
from them the age of the temple. In the first place, I cannot 
think of any other people that could have either designed 
or executed such a monument which required both science for 
its conception and skill for its erection. The Phoenicians, with 
their perfect familiarity with masts and cordage and pulleys, 
could easily lift the imposts, of which the largest, being about. 
11 feet long, 4 or 6 wide, and 3ft. thick, would weigh less than 
10 tons, and the Phenicians must have known how the Egyptians 
raised masses of stone many times heavier. For instance, each 
of the granite beams that roof the King’s chamber in the Great. 
Pyramid was over 340 inches long by 50 wide and 60 deep, and 
must therefore have weighed over 45 tons. How unnecessary then 
the suggestion of sloping banks of earth up which the builders. 
drew their imposts ! 
Next, the trilithon standing clear seems to have had some 
fascination for these people. They are found still standing in 
Tripoli, in Libya, as described in “The Hill of the Graces,” a 
record of investigation among the trilithons and megalithic sites 
of Tripoli, by H. S. Cowper, F.S.A. (Methuen, 1897). See also 
papers by the same author in the J ournal of the Royal Geograhical 
Society for Feb., 1896, and June, 1897. And specimens exist 
on the continent of Europe, in Normandy and in Brittany. One 
may be seen in the Island of Ushant and another at St. Nazaire, 
on the probable route they adopted for the passage of tin.* 
ee ee a 
* See also G. Palgrave’s “Journey through Central and Eastern Africa,” 
p. 421. 
Dr. Barth’s “Travels in Northern and Central Africa,” pp. 58—204 
Mr. Fergusson’s “ Rude Stone Monuments,” pp. 100—145. 
Dr. Phené’s “ Existing Analogues in Stonehenge,” ‘s Wilts Archeological 
Magazine,” Vols. XIX, XX. 
Cc 
