Loanhead of Daviot stone circle, Prehistoric stone circle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
The Loanhead of Daviot is a prehistoric stone circle made of ten granite blocks arranged in a circular formation about 21 meters across. Inside lies a ring of smaller stones about 16 meters wide, with a massive flat stone positioned at the southern end of the circle.
The monument was built about 4000 years ago during prehistoric times and likely served as a burial and ceremonial site. Excavations in 1934 uncovered cremated remains beneath the stones, revealing that people were buried there.
The stones align with stars and the moon, showing that those who placed them watched the sky carefully. Visitors can still see how the large flat stone in the south frames the horizon where the moon rises on certain nights.
The site is located five miles northwest of Inverurie and is open free of charge throughout the year. It is easily accessible from the road, and the flat ground allows for an easy walk around the entire circle.
The central stone cairn is ringed by tiny boulders that form a distinct inner boundary, a feature not commonly seen at other stone circles in the area. This careful arrangement of small stones creates an extra layer of structure that reveals how much thought went into the site's design.
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