Stonhenge revisited

[warren11 at cox.net]

On Sat, 4 Dec 2004, Lan Barnes wrote:

> On Sat, Dec 04, 2004 at 10:20:08PM -0800, Neil Schneider wrote:
>> Mike Pitts, editor of British Archaeology, says: "Few archaeologists
>>
>> "It occurred to me that a megalith could be picked up, moved a short
>> distance, put down and moved again. Further research suggested this
>> would be quicker, require less manpower and negate the need for muscle
>> power. Also, the initial inertia the body experiences when attempting
>> to drag large stones, is all but nullified."
>
> I don't get this. We all gather 'round the stone. Neil says "on my
> count: 1 ... 2 ... 3!" We grunt. We lift. We stagger six steps toward
> El Cajon. Repeat until stone is there?
>
> How many people does it take to pick up a 6 ton stone?
>
> -- 
> Lan Barnes                    lan at falleagle.net
> Linux Guy, SCM Specialist     858-354-0616

Lan, It is simple, but the writer did not explain well enough -
Put yourself beside a big stone, dig a little hole under edge so you can 
stick the end of a pole under the stone - say along side of stone in two 
places.  Do same on other side of stone.  If the stone is not real big 
maybe just one on each side can do the job. Now position a fulcrum (log) 
opposite the pole holes close to stone.

Now you go get a buddy and two poles, each sticks pole in stone hole on 
each side and over fulcrum and push down, when the stone is up move 
SIDEWAYS (got it) and let stone back down.  If course both have to advance 
the stone in same direction.

Whew! harder to write than to give demo with couple pencils and erasers 
for fulcrums under a dictionary.  Yes I know only two points won't balance 
the load but if close to balance it could be inched along.

push down here
         \/______________________________ (stone)
                                     ^
Give me a long enough pole and fulcrum and I can move Mt. Rushmore !!

Warren

PS I wondered about this for a long time and today am enlightened.