When we delve into the mysteries of our ancient past, we often stumble upon enigmas that challenge our understanding of human history. One such enigma is “Adam’s Calendar,” a controversial contender for the title of the world’s oldest man-made structure. Often referred to as the “African Stonehenge,” it predates renowned monuments like Stonehenge and the Great Pyramid of Giza by tens of thousands of years. This article takes you on a journey to Mpumalanga, South Africa, where a standing stone circle, approximately 30 meters in diameter, has sparked a fascination that transcends time and space.
The Adam’s Calendar
Adam’s Calendar stands as a testament to the ingenuity of a long-lost civilization. Nestled amidst the South African mountains, it’s estimated to be more than 75,000 years old. This megalithic site holds a unique position as perhaps the only fully functional, mostly intact stone calendar in the world, laden with various astronomical alignments.
An Ancient Riddle: Thousands of Stone Circles
Scattered across the South African landscape, thousands of stone circle ruins lie in solitude. The first recorded estimate of these enigmatic structures dates back to 1891 when English explorer Theodore Bent suggested there were approximately 4,000 of them. By 1974, that number had swelled to 20,000. Today, Michael Tellinger, a prominent researcher in the field, proposes a staggering count of over 100,000. These mysterious “stone circles” vary in design, with some lacking doors or entrances. They are often interconnected by an intricate network of channels, sometimes mistaken as ancient roads.
Adam’s Calendar stands out among these enigmatic ruins, earning its fame due to its unique attributes.
The Birthplace of The Sun
Known as the “Birthplace of The Sun” or “Inzalo y’Langa” by African elders, Adam’s Calendar was brought to public attention in 2003 by South African pilot Johan Heine. His 20 years of aerial exploration over the Mpumalanga mountains led to the discovery of these circular stone structures scattered across the landscape. Initially dismissed as remnants of Bantu cattle kraals from the 14th century, this theory has since been refuted. The structures at Adam’s Calendar differ significantly from typical Bantu cattle enclosures, both in design and distribution.
A Fateful Discovery
It was a fateful air crash involving one of Heine’s crew members that ultimately led to the revelation of Adam’s Calendar. While attempting to locate the downed pilot near a cliff’s edge, Heine noticed large stones protruding from the ground. These stones were meticulously aligned with the cardinal points, emphasizing the equinoxes and solstices. Several monoliths were oriented toward the sunrise, and on the western side, an enigmatic hole in the ground piqued Heine’s curiosity. Extensive measurements and observations over weeks and months led to the realization that this site might be a stone calendar.
The Functionality of Adam’s Calendar
Adam’s Calendar earned its name because of its remarkable ability to track the sun’s movement. By casting shadows on the rock, it functions as a calendar to this day. The taller central monolith’s shadow is projected onto a flat stone adjacent to it, mirroring its ancient purpose. The original circular stone structure, resembling Stonehenge, contains two upright stones believed to be carved. Even from satellite images, its original shape remains visible. The stones, weighing up to 5 tons each, are thought to have been transported from a distant location.
Gold-Rich Environs
Notably, the area around Adam’s Calendar is incredibly rich in gold. It’s worth mentioning that in the 1880s, this region’s wealth in gold reefs attracted significant attention. Early European writings even described evidence of historic civilizations mining for minerals in this area.
A Glimpse into the Past: Astronomical Calculations
The site’s age is still a matter of debate, with researchers relying on astronomical clues for dating. The rise of Orion, a constellation famed for its three bright stars forming the “belt” of the mythical hunter, plays a crucial role. Earth’s axial precession, a cyclical phenomenon that takes about 26,000 years to complete, affects the angle at which stars and constellations appear in the night sky. By determining when Orion’s belt stars were flat on the horizon, experts can estimate when the three stones in Adam’s Calendar were aligned with these celestial bodies.
Astronomer Bill Hollenbach’s calculation, based on the rise of Orion, suggested an age of at least 75,000 years for the site. Another calculation in June 2009 proposed an age of at least 160,000 years, considering the erosion of dolerite stones at the site. Some marker stones had broken off, exposing them to natural erosion. Reassembling the pieces revealed that approximately 3 cm of stone had already eroded, aiding in dating the site.
Unearthing Acoustic Wonders
The most recent and intriguing discovery at Adam’s Calendar involves the acoustic properties of the rock formations beneath the ground. With modern technology, researchers, led by Michael Tellinger, have detected and measured sound frequencies emanating from the earth below the stones. These frequencies manifest as intricate patterns of sacred geometry, resembling flowers when they surface.
Yet, Adam’s Calendar remains a profound enigma. Many questions persist: Who built it? What was their civilization like? How did they achieve such precision in their measurements? As time goes on, further research may gradually unravel this prehistoric mystery.
Conclusion
Adam’s Calendar stands as a testament to the mysteries of our ancient past, challenging our preconceptions about the timeline of human history. This megalithic site in Mpumalanga, South Africa, with its celestial alignments and unique functionality, continues to captivate the imaginations of researchers and enthusiasts alike. As we delve deeper into our past, it becomes evident that the secrets held by structures like Adam’s Calendar are bound to surface, redefining our understanding of ancient civilizations and their remarkable achievements.
