Rujm el-Hiri, Megalithic monument in Golan Heights, Israel.
Rujm el-Hiri is a circular stone formation made up of five concentric rings built from roughly 42,000 basalt rocks spanning about 520 feet (160 meters) across. A burial mound sits at its center, revealing the original purpose of the construction.
The structure was built during the Early Bronze Age II, between 3000 and 2700 BCE, and served as a burial site. This ancient construction ranks among the region's oldest known monumental stone works.
The Arabic name means 'stone heap of the wildcat,' while the Hebrew name Gilgal Refaim means 'Wheel of Spirits.' Both names reflect how different peoples have understood and lived with this structure across time.
Visiting requires special permission because of the site's location near military zones, with access mainly available on weekends. Check ahead about current entry requirements before making the trip.
The stone rings align with astronomical events, allowing sunlight to pass through specific openings during solstices and equinoxes. This suggests the ancient builders understood celestial movements and deliberately incorporated them into the design.
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