Callanish II, Neolithic stone circle on Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Callanish II is a stone circle on the Isle of Lewis comprising standing stones arranged in a pattern roughly 11 meters (36 feet) in diameter. The structure sits near Callanish village and represents a secondary megalithic site distinct from the larger primary monument.
The stone circle dates to roughly 5000 years ago and functioned as a religious and ceremonial center during the late Neolithic period. Evidence from excavations suggests the site served ritual and burial purposes across several centuries of use.
The stones carry the local name 'fir bhrèige', meaning false men, rooted in ancient tales of giants who rejected Christian conversion. This naming reflects how the community has made sense of these enigmatic structures across generations.
The site remains accessible via the nearby road, and the surrounding area can be explored on foot. Visitors should bring weather-resistant clothing, as the exposed location experiences changeable Highland conditions.
Excavations uncovered pottery fragments indicating that multiple generations used this location for rituals and burials. This find makes Callanish II a rare example of sustained use of a megalithic site across an extended timespan.
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