On August 5th, 2017; I had the opportunity to explore the Goseck Circle in Germany. 

     The Goseck Circle, (pictured below) is an early Neolithic Henge structure with entrances orientated to the rising and setting solstices. It was apparently created by Europe’s first civilization, long before the cultures of Mesopotamia and the pyramids of Egypt.

     Dubbed the German Stonehenge, the structure has been radiocarbon dated to 4900 BC. The original configuration and traces of Goseck Circle reveal that the structure once consisted of two wooden fences, one mound and four concentric circles.

The site was approximately 75 meters (246 feet) in diameter. A narrow ditch enveloped the circular wooden wall and three gates – one facing north, one facing southwest and the last one facing southeast, were equally space out around the outer edge.

     Standing at the center, (pictured above),  of the structure during the winter solstice, December 21, a person could see the sun rise from the southeast gate and set through the southwest gate. The summer solstice on June 21 st and the Spring festival are visible in the palisade’s gaps.  It has been observed that the entrances get progressively smaller the closer to the center one gets, which would have concentrated the sun’s rays into a narrow path.

     The third gate at the site remains something of a mystery and points north, but not quite. It may have nothing to do with astronomy, for the compound was more than just a solar station.

     Archaeologists discovered several cattle skulls as well as human skeletal parts near the gates. These finds point to rituals within the enclosure, (pictured above). Besides it’s astronomical function the circular enclosure was also used as a place for gatherings and religious ceremonies.

     The images above show how the Goseck Circle was found from flying over in an airplane.