142 



YEARBOOK, PUBLIC MUSEUM, MILWAUKEE 



[Vol. II. 



both its rising on the Winter Solstice, and its setting on the Summer 

 Solstice." The arrangement of these stones is of the highest import- 

 ance, as it is from them and from their position that it is possible to 

 form some conclusions as to the use to which the structure may have 

 been put and as to its age. 



THE "SLAUGHTERING STONE" 



Just within the line of the earth ring, and outside the stone circle, 

 lies a large flat-topped stone, called the "slaughtering Stone," (figure 



LLl. 



1 1 



'I 



^' , (-' 



U-' 



ff 



zC 



Fig. 



83. — Construction of the tnlithons of the outer circle of the "temple"' 

 at Stonehenge. Drawing by the author. 



78-4). This stone bears several oval indentations, evidently made by 

 pecking with a sharp instrument. A row of these holes has been worked 

 across one corner. The purpose of these holes, as well as the use to 

 which this stone was put, is still a mystery. The idea of human sacri- 

 fice in connection with any ancient remains, seems pleasing to most 

 people. And in connection with Stonehenge, which was doubtless a 

 pagan temple of soine sort, of course, some kind of slaughtering stone 



