58 STONE CIRCLES IX PALESTINE 



in the rude cromlechs, stone circles, and tumuli, the proto- 

 types of the highly decorated architecture of the Buddhists. 



It is a very remarkable fact that even to the present day, 

 some of the hill tribes in India continue to erect cromlechs, 

 and other combinations of gigantic stones, sometimes in rows, 

 sometimes in circles, in either case very closely resembling 

 those found in Western Europe. Among the Khasias,* "the 

 funeral ceremonies are the only ones of any importance, and 

 are often conducted with barbaric pomp and expense ; and 

 rude stones of gigantic proportions are erected as monuments, 

 singly or in rows, circles, or supporting one another like 

 those of Stonehenge, which they rival in dimensions and 

 appearance." 



Those who believe that the use of metal was introduced 

 into Europe by a race of Indo-European origin, will find, in 

 these interesting facts a confirmation of their opinion ; but, 

 on the other hand, Professor Nilsson might appeal to pas- 

 sages in the Old Testament, which show the existence of 

 similar customs, if not among the Phoenicians, at least 

 among their neighbours. Thus, we are told in Genesis 

 xxxi. that " Jacob took a stone and set it up for a pillar ;" 

 and in verse 51, "Laban said to Jacob, behold this heap, 

 and behold this pillar, which I have cast between me and 

 thee. This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, 

 that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou 

 shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, to do me 

 harm," etc. At Mount Sinai, Moses erected twelve pillars. f 

 And so, again, when the children of Israel had crossed over 

 Jordan, Joshua took twelve stones and pitched them in 

 Gilgal. " And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, 

 When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, 

 saying, What mean these stones ? Then ye shall let your 



* Dr. Hooker's Himalayan Journal, vol. ii., p. 276. See also p. 320. 

 f Ex. xxiv. 4. 



