_A conjecture about the time of the founding of_ Stonehenge. _An
uniform variation in setting these works, not to be accounted
for, but by supposing the_ Druids _us’d a magnetical compass.
Their leader, the_ Tyrian Hercules, _was possess’d of a
compass-box. The oracle of_ Jupiter Ammon _had a compass-box.
The golden fleece at_ Colchis _was a compass-box. Both these
temples were founded by_ Apher, Hercules _his companion, and
grandson to_ Abraham. Apher, Aphricus, _or_ Phryxus _the same
person, seems to have given name to_ Britain. _The_ Druids
_set their temples and other works by it. The history of
the mariner’s compass, since that time. The history of the
variation of the magnetic needle. A conjecture of the time of
building_ Stonehenge, _from thence._
In my Enquiries into these works of the antient _Druids_ in our island,
I observed a greater exactness in placing them, with regard to the
quarters of the heavens, than one would expect, in works seemingly so
rude; and in so remote an age, to which we must necessarily refer them.
What more particularly mov’d my attention, was a certain variation from
cardinal points, which I observed regular and uniform, in the works
of one place. And that variation was different, in works of another
place; yet equally regular and uniform in that place. Suppose (for
instance) the works about _Abury_ in _Wiltshire_ generally vary 9 or
10 degrees to the left hand, from cardinal points: _i. e._ westward
from the north. And the works at _Stonehenge_ generally vary to the
right hand, from cardinal points, and that to the quantity of 6 or 7
degrees. The principal diameter or groundline of _Stonehenge_, leading
from the entrance, up the middle of the temple, to the high altar,
(from which line the whole work is form’d) varies about that quantity
southward of the north east point. The intent of the founders of
_Stonehenge_, was to set the entrance full north east, being the point
where the sun rises, or nearly, at the summer solstice. As well because
_that_ is the farthest elongation of the great celestial luminary,
northward; the complement of our earthly felicity, in ripening the
fruits of the earth: as because _then_ they celebrated one of their
principal religious meetings or festivals, with sacrifices, publick
games, and the like. Such was the custom of all the antient nations.
The _Isthmian_, _Nemæan_, _Olympian_, _Pythian_ games, famous in the
works of the learned nations: those of _Tyre_ II. _Maccabees_ iv. 18.
dedicated to their and our founder, the antient _Tyrian Hercules_, who,
I suppose, conducted the first _Phœnician_ colony, with our _Druids_,
into _Britain_: these were all held at this time of the year. A custom
continu’d from patriarchal times.
This exactness with which the _Druids_ set their works, and the
uniformity of their variation, make me believe, this variation was not
the effect of chance or negligence.
By a superficial reflexion upon it, we should be apt to suspect, it
was owing to their observing the sun’s rising on the longest day of
the year, or summer solstice, and setting their line by it. For this
is supposed to be a method by which they formerly set our Churches:
marking the sun’s rising at the equinox. But the _Druids_ were too good
astronomers and mathematicians to need so mean an artifice: nor does
it correspond to the quantity precisely enough. Besides, this same
variation appears where it cannot possibly regard the sun’s rising at
that time.
[Illustration: _P. 56._ TAB. XXIX.
_Prospect of the Cursus & Stonehenge from the North Aug. 6. 1723._
A. _The Entrance of the Avenue._ B. _The 7 Barrows._ C. _The Kings
Barrow._ D. _Salisbury Steeple._ E. _Stonehenge._]
For, I observ’d the like variation, or very near, in all the other
parts relating to this temple before taken notice of; beside the
avenue leading up to the temple from the north east, in a strait
line; which has the before-mention’d variation all the way. At the
bottom of the hill, this avenue divides into two wings, each going
off from the last mention’d part, with a decent sweep; the one to the
left hand, westward, the other to the right hand, eastward. They go
off with a like angle, and that angle varies the like quantity. The
western wing goes to the _cursus_, before observ’d, the place upon the
downs, half a mile off _Stonehenge_, made for races with chariots and
horses. The right hand wing of the avenue runs directly eastward for
a mile together, pointing to a place on an angle of the river, called
_Radfin_. This part of the avenue, which was intended by the founders,
to have been drawn precisely east and west, varies about 5 or 6 degrees
to the south.
Likewise, that great work of the _cursus_ itself, which stretches its
length across the downs, from east to west, like a line of latitude
upon the globe, varies such a like quantity, from true east and west,
the same way. The meridian line of _Stonehenge_ passes exactly through
the middle of this _cursus_.
Further, at the east end of this _cursus_, the huge bank of earth,
above 200 foot long, made across the end of the _cursus_, as a _meta_,
and whereon sat the princes and judges of the prizes: This bank of
earth is drawn exactly at a right angle with the _cursus_, consequently
due north and south, but with the variation before spoken of. These,
and other like observations here, as well as in other _Druid_ Works,
appear’d to me no otherwise to be accounted for, but that the _Druids_
us’d a magnetical compass, in laying down the works: and that the
needle vary’d so much, at that time, from the true meridian line.
I remember I open’d this affair, near 20 Years ago, to Dr. _Halley_,
who was of the same sentiment. Nor am I the first who suspected the
_Phœnicians_ of old were possessed of this great secret, as well as the
_Chinese_, from times immemorial. I am not moved to think otherwise by
what _Bochart_ writes against it. The very name of the magnet _lapis
Heraclius_ strongly suggests, the _Tyrian_ navigator before-mention’d
knew it, as is well argued by _Fuller_ in his Miscellanies, IV. 19.
And many things occur, in the mythology of the antients, wherein (if
I mistake not) I discern most evident traces of this knowledge of
the directive power of the magnet. We are not to despise the fables
of the antients, but to make the best use of them, and search out
for their latent truths. My predecessor _Cumberland_, observes in
_Sanchoniathon_, p. 325. “that _Apollodorus_ (for instance) hath
many truths in his mythic history, deriv’d from the tradition of
_Phœnicians_ and _Egyptians_, planting _Athens_.” And the _Greeks_,
those happy practitioners in writing, as well as other arts, took the
unlucky turn of the _marvellous_, to so exorbitant a degree, as to
write nothing without it. In _Apollodorus_, put out by the learned Dr.
_Gale_, p. 114. we have an account of the 10th labour of _Hercules_,
his conquest of _Cadiz_, or _Gadira_, as then call’d, or _Erythea_.
We are told, the hero set up the 2 pillars at the Streights mouth, at
_Gibralter_, or then _Tartessus_; which we may reasonably suppose some
temple made of these rough stones, or some _main ambres_, like those
we mention’d before, the _petræ ambrosiæ_ in the _Tyrian_ coins. Then,
says our author, going on his journey, “the rays of the sun were so
vehement upon him, that he had the boldness to draw his bow against
him. The god admiring the intrepidity of the man, gave him a golden cup
with which he sail’d over the ocean.” _Pisander_ in his IId. book, (in
_Atheneus Deipnos._ XI.) writes the same, only that _Oceanus_ lent him
the cup. _Panyasis_ in his I. of the history of _Hercules_, says, he
begg’d it of _Nereus_, son of _Sol_, and with it sail’d to _Erythea_.
(Macrob. _Saturn._ XXI. 5.) _Theoclytus_, in _Atheneus_ aforesaid, in
his II. _de tempest._ mentions the same thing. He said it before in
his _Titanomachia_. _Pherecydes_, in his III. of history, quoted both
in _Atheneus_ and _Macrobius_, tells a story somewhat like that of
_Apollodorus_, but more particular. _Servius_ Æn. VII. mentions it,
but as some of the former, makes the cup of brass, instead of gold.
_Alexander Ephesius_ the like. All very ancient writers. _Lucian_ says,
that _Hercules_ sail’d in a sea-conch shell. What can we understand by
all this, mention’d by so many grave authors, but a compass-box, which
enabled him to sail the great ocean, and penetrate to our northern
island, less obnoxious to the suns vehement heat? Add to this, in
the same place, _Apollodorus_ speaks of his fighting _Albion_ and
_Dercynus_, by _Mela_, called _Bergion_, Sons of _Neptune_; which were
the most antient names of the _Britannic_ Isles, before the name of
_Britain_. _Diodorus Siculus_, in his IV. book delivers a like account
of this 10th labour of _Hercules_, but in a mere historical manner.
And adds, that when he return’d by _Sicily_, he dedicated a grove to
_Geryon_ the hero, where, to his time, the people did religious rites.
For this affair of sacred groves, we know our _Druids_ were famous.
He built a temple likewise at _Gades_. We are not to suppose it a
cover’d edifice, like what posterity call’d a temple, but an open one,
according to the mode of those days. Cover’d temples, at that time,
being a thing unknown in the world. Afterward, a magnificent temple,
properly, was there built to him. _Mela_ witnesses, that it was our
_Egyptian Hercules_, who was there worshipped. For I suppose our
_Egyptian_ and the _Tyrian Hercules_ to be all one. The same mention’d
by the name of _Assis_, in _Manethons_ XVII. _Dynasty_, in _Josephus_
c. App. in _Africanus_, _Eusebius_, and _Syncellus_. _Apollonius_ II.
14. writes, it was not the _Theban_ but the _Egyptian Hercules_ that
came to _Gades_: which is confirm’d by _Hecateus_. And _Herodotus_,
in _Euterpe_ says, _Hercules_ is a very antient deity among the
_Egyptians_, not so, among the _Greeks_. And I suppose this hero lived
at, or very near the time of the patriarch _Abraham_.
These were the times about the beginning of idolatry. And _Hercules_
was far from being an idolater himself, though worshipp’d afterwards,
for his great exploits, and perhaps on this very account of his
inventing or knowing the use of the compass. This is the _Hercules_
kneeling on one knee, a constellation in heaven, taken notice of by
_Dionysius Halycarn._ by _Tzetzes_, _Hyginus_, _Æschylus_ and others.
It seems to indicate his piety; for which the astronomers his disciples
plac’d him in the heavens. He kneels upon the arctic circle, and
supports the zodiac on his shoulders; tho’ this is not understood by
the painting on our modern globes. The _Phœnicians_, his successors
in the tin trade of _Britain_, kept the trade and the very name of
the Island as a great secret; as well as the use of the compass, till
it was lost with them. But it seems highly probable, because _Lucian_
describes _Hercules_ with a sphere in his hand, that he affixed the
present Asterisms of the zodiac: and his successors, the _Phœnicians_,
propagated them.
’Tis next to our present purpose, to consider that famous oracle of
_Jupiter Ammon_ in _Africa_, to be referr’d to the most early times
of idolatry: render’d illustrious by _Alexander_ the Great taking a
journey to it. Which gives us the opportunity of knowing somewhat of it.
_Quamvis Æthiopum populis, Arabumq; beatis
Gentibus, ac Indis, unus sit Jupiter Ammon._ Lucan.
All these nations, with _Egypt_ and _Africa_, were peopled by the
posterity chiefly of _Ham_. They were the first that fell into
idolatry, and worshipped their common progenitor, call’d _Amynus_, in
_Sanchoniathon_. _Hecateus_ says, _Amoûn_, as the _Egyptians_ write
it, is the word of those that invoke god, and that they meant somewhat
very mysterious by it. The history of its origin is this. _Bacchus_,
the hero, or demigod, travelling through the sandy desarts of _Africa_,
with a great army, was perishing with thirst; he pray’d to his father
_Jupiter_ for relief, who sent a _ram_ that show’d him a spring, sav’d
him and his host. Out of gratitude, the hero builds a temple there, to
the deity who thus aided him under the form of a _ram_. There is no
room to doubt, that this is in part copied from the transaction of the
children of _Israel_, in the _Arabian_ wilderness. They have added to
it, a name and notion borrowed from patriarchal tradition, of a divine
person, symboliz’d by a ram; horned, anointed, which is all one. We
christians mean _Messiah_. Innumerable passages in old authors, which
I might cite, innumerable monuments of antiquity in sculpture, shew,
that _Jupiter Ammon_ was figur’d as a ram, with a ram’s head, with rams
horns. They applied the patriarchal notion of the _Messiah_, to their
progenitor _Ham_, in an idolatrous way: and deified him under that
character. There is a very remarkable passage in _Herodotus_, which, it
is worth our while, to transcribe.
[Illustration: _P. 58._ TAB. XXX.
_Prospect from the west end of the Cursus of Stonehenge._
_Stukeley. d._
A. _the eastern meta._ B. _the eastern wing of the avenue._ C.
_Stonehenge._]
In _Euterpe_ cap. 42. that author tells us, why the _Theban Egyptians_
pay so great a regard to the sheep. “_Hercules_ on his importunity
to _Jupiter_, that he might have the honour personally to see him,
at length prevail’d. And the god consented to exhibit himself to his
view, under this device. _viz._ _Jupiter_ cut off a ram’s head, put the
skin over his own head, and thus appear’d to _Hercules_. Whence the
_Egyptians_ made the statue of _Jupiter_, with a ram’s head, and call
_Jupiter Ammôun_. Whence they hold sheep for sacred animals, never kill
them but once a year, upon the festival day of _Jupiter_, when only one
ram is sacrificed, and his head put upon the statue of _Jupiter_; all
that are there present, beat the ram, and at last he is buried in a
sacred urn.”
It is impossible not to see, that this is derived from that history
recorded, _Exodus_ xxxiii. _Moses_ desires of _Jehovah_ repeatedly,
that he might see him. He calls it seeing his glory. He is answer’d at
length. “I will make all my _goodness_ pass before thee, and I will
proclaim the _name_ of _Jehovah_ before thee. Thou canst not see my
face, but I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and cover thee with
my hand, whilst I pass by. Thou shalt see my back parts only.” Here he
notoriously promises _Moses_, that he shall see him, in a symbolical
form. In the next chapter, _Jehovah_ descended in the luminous cloud,
or _Shechinah_, and proclaimed the _name_ of _Jehovah_; recites those
attributes that relate to his dealings with mankind, in the strongest
point of light; “his goodness and mercy, and long-suffering, forgiving
iniquity, transgression and sin: but adds, he will by no means clear
the guilty, but visit the fathers iniquity upon the children.” Wherein
our original and fatal transgression is sufficiently intimated, and
that God’s justice is equal to his mercy; and the necessity of a divine
redemption by sacrifice, which in scripture language is call’d, “the
lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
All this the most ancient nations had a knowledge of, from patriarchal
tradition. When they laps’d into idolatry, they applied these good
notions to their new idolatry, and made statues from the symbolical and
figurative forms of speech, us’d in true religion. Their sacrificing
the ram on the festival day of _Jupiter_, their beating the ram,
putting his head on the statue of their deity, burying him in a
sacred urn: all most evidently pointing out the notions they had, in
the most early times, of the suffering state of the _Messiah_. And
such was the origin, in short, of _Jupiter Ammon_. But it appears,
by what learned authors write, on _Curtius_’s description of his
statue, that a magnetical compass box made one considerable part of
his sacreds. This we read in _Hyde_ Pers. relig. p. 495. in _Curtius_
publish’d by _Pitiscus_, and by _Rader_ the jesuite, and _Schottus_
in _Ortelius_, by _Fuller_, _Herwart_ and others. “This compass box
with the statue of the deity, was set in a golden ship (the golden
cup of _Hercules_) and carried in procession on the shoulders of the
priests, accompanied by women singing an hymn in their own language.”
I doubt not, but the circumstance of carrying this golden ship, on the
shoulders of the priests, is an imitation of the _Mosaic_ ark in the
march of the _Israelites_, thro’ the wilderness, during their forty
years pilgrimage. Tho’ they mistook the reason of the thing; the
_Jewish_ church then being in a military and travelling state. But
where the camp rested, the ark was reposited, in the _adytum_ of the
tabernacle: so likewise when in possession of the land of _Canaan_.
This is sufficient proof, that the _Lybians_ herein, copied after the
_Israelites_, not _vice versa_, as our moderns are willing to think, in
these cases.
_Curtius_ tells us, the habit of _Ammon_’s statue was made of _Smaragd_
and other precious stones, wrought in _Mosaic_ work. Which I take
to be too, in imitation of the pontifical attire, under _Moses_’s
administration: particularly of the sacred, oracular pectoral, made
of _Mosaic_ work, with gems. I apprehend, that beside the statue of
_Ammon_, there was a figure of (the upper part at least of) a _ram_, on
the compass box: which was the oracle. And it is easy to guess how this
may be managed for the purpose; even beyond the trick of _Januarius_’s
blood, and other _Popish_ devices.
Hence we may better understand the famous golden fleece, which
occasioned the _Argonautic_ expedition, one of the earliest and most
memorable _Æra’s_ of the _Grecian_ history. If we suppose this golden
fleece to be a compass box, we see the reason why the choice youth
of _Greece_ set out upon that voyage: which, as all other matters of
ancient history, among the _Greeks_, is so unaccountably puft up with
the leaven of fable. It became navigators to run any hazard for such a
treasure. If we enquire into its origin, it is thus. _Phrixus_ son of
_Athamas_ and _Nepheles_ (according to the _Greeks_) had a ship given
him by his mother. The ship is call’d in the fable a golden _ram_, or
the ram with a golden fleece (the same thing as _Hercules_’s golden
cup.) In this, he and his sister _Helle_, flying the ill-usage of
their mother-in-law _Ino_, sail away by sea. _Helle_ affrighted in the
voyage, falls overboard and gives name to the _Hellespont_. _Phrixus_
continues the voyage, and goes to _Æetes_ king of _Colchis_, where he
hangs up his golden _ram_ in the temple, to _Jupiter Phyxius_, (one
would be apt to imagine they meant _Pyxius_, alluding to the box.)
_Jason_ made his far-fam’d expedition thither afterward, and stole
it. But the ram was placed in the heavens, among the constellations,
as a memorial; the first sign in the _Zodiac_: which shews the high
antiquity of the story.
This account manifestly pretends very great antiquity, and some signal
event. I observe this _Ino_ their mother-in-law, is said to be the
nurse of _Bacchus_, and throwing herself with her son _Melicerte_
into the sea, became a goddess, under the name of _Leucothea_. Her
son became a god, under the name of _Palæmon_. This _Melicerte_ is
allowed by all the learned, to be no other than our _Melcartus_
above-mention’d. _Palæmon_ is _Hercules_, says _Hesychius_. _Palæmon_
is his name of deification. _Pausanias_ in the beginning of his
_corinthiaca_ informs us, this _apotheosis_ of _Ino_ and _Melicerta_
was the occasion of founding the famous _Isthmian_ games. _Plutarch_
says the same, and _Phavorinus_. Again, I observe, _Phrixus_ is said to
be son of _Nephele_ (a cloud) whence call’d _nubigena_ by _Columella_.
We must hence expect somewhat very secret and obscure. Further, all
writers say openly this _ram_ or ship of _Phrixus_ was oracular and
could speak upon occasion. So all the writers of the _Argonautics_ too
will have the ship _Argos_ to be loquacious and oracular. _Magnes_
another name of the load-stone is often call’d _Adamas_, which seems
to be no other than _Athamas_. _Apollodorus_ makes _Magnes_ the son of
_Æolus_, who marrying _Nais_, inhabited the isle _Seriphus_. _Æolus_
was a great sailor, invented sails, and studied the winds, therefore
deified and made the god of the winds. I suppose it all ends in the
mysterious invelopement of the knowledge of the magnetic compass.
I hope for the readers candour, in reciting thus much from antient
fable, which I did as concisely as possible. But in matters of obscure
antiquity, we must make use of all helps. And in heathen antiquity we
have no other. A strictly historical way of writing in former times, is
only to be expected in the sacred canon of the _Jews_. And what is
remarkable, after God’s holy spirit had deserted _them_, their writers
became the greatest fablers in the world, and, if possible, out-did the
_Greeks_, in that way.
[Illustration: _P. 60._ TAB. XXXI.
_A Prospect of the barrows in Lake field called the Eleven barrows &
lately the prophets barrows._
_2^d. Sep^r. 1723._
_Stukeley d._
A. _Stonehenge._ P. _barrow open’d by_ .L. _Pembroke_. SS. _by
Stukeley_.]
One would imagine, the fashion of these most antient charts, was to
divide the circle into 12 parts, and affix the celestial signs of the
zodiac to them; beginning with the east at _aries_, where the sun
rises at the equinoxes; and thence they might call the box by the
name of _aries_, as shewing the east where _aries_ is plac’d. As now
the _Turks_ and _Arabians_ call it _kibla noma_, _i. e._ shewing the
_kibla_, or south point, the way toward which they turn their faces
in devotion. So we only enquire for the north point; and call it the
lode-stone, because it shews the lode-star or north pole. But ’tis all
one; any one point in a circle being found, the rest are found too.
From what has been said, it seems probable, that the fable of the hero
finding out the spring in the sandy desarts of _Africa_, by the help
of a ram sent from _Jupiter_, means the travelling over those immense
plains by the help of a compass, which they call’d by the name of a
_ram_, or a golden ram. And that the possessors of the antient oracle
of _Ammon_ had such a secret, which they cunningly applied to the
sacreds of their deity. Probably, in that most early age, they had not
improv’d the use of it to the pitch and manner that we enjoy, with a
needle; and _that_ set upon a central pin: but having found out the
veracity of the magnet, they put it into a boat, which was to swim on
water, and therein it would have liberty to turn itself to its proper
direction. And this is the sentiment of the learned Dr. _Wallis_, in
the _Philosophical Transactions_, N^o. 278. This boat was the better
a handle for the mythologists to call _Hercules_’s vessel a golden
cup, because cups were made in the shape of a boat, and had the same
denomination, _cymbium_.
Those learned commentators upon _Curtius_ abovementioned agree, there
was a stone along with the statue of _Ammon_, carried about in the
golden ship; and perhaps, hence the antient navigators took the hint
of applying the figure of the ram to their compasses, however form’d,
and gave it the name of the _ram_, or golden fleece, which the _Greek_
fables, their most antient history, ring of: and hence their ships
deriv’d their oracular quality. _Phrixus_’s ship, the golden _ram_,
being said to speak on occasion, as well as the ship _argos_. The
stupendous properties of this stone, without difficulty, would persuade
even those above the vulgar, that there was a divine principle in it,
quite metaphysical, consequently oracular. And in the dawnings of
idolatry, the evil agent who was vigilant to pervert every thing to
his own purpose, would not fail to make great use of the secrets of
the magnet. The intire notion of oracles among the heathen, is caused
by the devil’s mimickry of God’s transactions among the patriarchs
and the _Jews_. But I believe the _Egyptians_ took their notion of
carrying a boat in all their religious processions, from this magnetic
boat, of which both _Herodotus_ and _Plutarch_ inform us. For they
intended it to signify the movement and descent of the divine ideas
from the supreme mind; especially the very fountain and principal of
those ideas: and it must be own’d to be admirably well chose. Hence
the top and the bottom of the verge or _limbus_ of the celebrated
_Isiac_ tablet, is adorn’d with a boat. In one a ram, in the other
a bull. Meaning the origin of the chain of ideas flowing from the
divine mind. ’Tis highly probable, _that_ with the ram is the copy of
_Jupiter Ammon_’s boat, mention’d by _Curtius_. And I suppose this is
_Herwart_’s opinion, but I have not yet seen his book. Of this I shall
discourse larger in my explication of the _Bembin_ table. However
_Herodotus_ tells us in his II. book, that the temple of _Jupiter
Ammon_ took its rise from _Phœnicia_. I only mention this for the sake
of those that are over acting the credit of antiquities in _Egypt_.
We learn in _Plutarch_’s discourse _de Isid. & Osir_, that the ship
_argos_ of the _Greeks_, was in reality the ship that our _Hercules_
sail’d round the world in. Further, this oracular ship has its name
_argos_, says my friend Mr. _Baxter_, _gloss. ant. rom._ from the
_Hebrew_ and _Syrian_ word _argan_, an ark. Which confirms what I
said above, concerning the carrying about the ship of _Ammon_ on the
shoulders of the priests. _Strabo_ in II. of his geography, mentions
the temple of _Leucothea_, built by _Phrixus_ at _Colchos_; that there
was an oracle there; and that the sheep was never slain at the place.
This shews its relation to that of _Jupiter Ammon_. _Leucothea_ is the
name of consecration of _Hercules_ his mother, _Hercules_ himself being
call’d _Palæmon_; both made sea deities: from the extraordinary fame
of _Hercules_, the first and great sea captain. _Pausanias in Atticis_
says, he was buried in the _Corinthian Isthmus_; where the _Isthmian_
games were kept to his memory. But _Mela_ writes, that his remains
were at _Gades_. It’s probable there was only an honorary monument of
him at the _Isthmus_, as founder: as the honorary monument of _Jolaus_
mention’d to be among the _Thebans_, by the _Stadium_, p. 42.
Mr. _Baxter_ in _gloss. ant. rom. v. ascania_ makes _Phrixus_ to be
_Aphricus_, and the same person as _Jupiter Ammon_, or the founder
of the temple of _Jupiter Ammon_; rather, of that prior to _Jupiter
Ammon_. We are not to regard the little artifices of the _Greeks_, who
draw all celebrated events and persons of antiquity, into their own
country. _Aphricus_, no doubt, is the _Aphre_ before-mentioned, son
of _Midian_, son of _Abraham_; whom _Cleodemus_ makes an associate of
_Hercules_, in his _Lybian_ wars. _Josephus_ makes him the conqueror
of _Lybia_, and that he gave name to _Africa_. ’Tis not unlikely
but that he is the hero that travell’d over these barren sands by
the help of the compass, as his countrymen the _Arabians_ have from
times immemorial practised, in travelling over their own desarts. And
might probably erect a patriarchal temple there; and in times of his
posterity it degenerated into the idolatrous temple of _Jupiter Ammon_.
And there the compass box of the hero remain’d, and was converted into
part of the heathen sacreds.
’Tis no very strange matter, if they at another time call this same
hero _Bacchus_, therein confounding him with the like travels of the
_Israelites_, through the _Arabian_ desarts. We are not to expert these
histories of old times involv’d in fable, absolutely consistent. But
if this account be agreeable to truth or near it; then we may imagine
the same _Aphre_, by the _Greeks_ call’d _Phrixus_, according to Mr.
_Baxter_, pass’d the _Hellespont_, made the expedition into _Colchis_,
and built a like temple there. And a compass box called the golden
_ram_, was made alike part of the object of their adoration. This is
exceedingly confirm’d by the report of _Herodotus_ and _Diodorus S._
who say, the _Colchi_ practised the rite of circumcision, a matter
which the learned cannot account for; but appears plain from hence:
these being the descendants of _Abraham_. They say, at the same time,
that the _Ethiopians_ practise the like: and that ’tis no recent custom
among them, but from the beginning. I apprehend by _Ethiopians_ are
meant _Arabians_, who are people descended from _Abraham_. _Herodotus_
says likewise the _Egyptians_ circumcis’d, which must be accounted for
in this same manner; some _Arabian_ or _Ethiopian_ nation bringing
the custom among them. As a further confirmation of _Phrixus_ being
_Aphricus_, _Bochart_ shews the _Colchic_ and _Hebrew_ tongue is much
a-kin. And thus we may account for what Mr. _Toland_, p. 133. says,
that the idiom of the _Irish_ language (which we suppose the remnant of
the most antient oriental,) has a mixture of _Arabic_ in it.
I saw a book in Dr. _Mead_’s library, _Museo de las medallas
desconocidas Espanolas_, p. 35. N^o. 82, 83. are two ancient unknown
medals, such as they often find in _Spain_. The first a head (not of
the best workmanship) on the obverse, young, but heroical enough, a
necklace on. Behind it Α Φ Ρ Α in the old _Phœnician_ character, like
the _Samaritan_. Reverse a horseman, and under the exergue another
word in like _Punic_ character. The other N^o. 83. has the same head
in the obverse, but without the necklace: and Α Φ Ρ Α before, in plain
_Greek_, behind a dolphin. The reverse as the last. There is another
such coin in the same book, no difference, but the name and dolphin
transpos’d. I verily believe this is our _Aphra_, or _Apher_ in our
_English_ translation call’d _Epher_, _Gen._ xxv. 4. struck by some
city in _Spain_, who acknowledged him their founder.
[Illustration: _P. 62._ TAB. XXXII.
_Female Celtic ornaments found in a barrow north of Stonehenge which I
open’d 5 July 1723. among burnt bones, all drawn as big as the Life._]
It is remarkable enough, what Mr. _Norden_ writes, in his history of
_Cornwall_. The _Cornish_ men universally suppose that the _Jews_
are the people who first work’t in their rocks, for tin: and in old
neglected tin-works, they find some of their tools. The workmen call
them _attal sarazin_, the _Jews_ cast off works, in their _Hebrew_
speech, says _Norden_. Now I apprehend he means our _Arabians_: and it
is a circumstance confirming the former notions. And to it we may refer
the origin of the odd reports, of our _Stonehenge_ coming from _Africa_
and the like. By the _Greeks_, _Hercules Melcartus_ or _Melicerta_,
and _Phrixus_ or _Apricus_ are made half brothers: by _Josephus_,
_Hercules_ is son-in-law to _Aphricus_. The _Phœnicians_ paid tythe. So
the _Arabians_, in _Pliny_, the like: being patriarchal customs.
_Aphricus_ or _Phryxus_ we may very well suppose to be father of the
_Phrygians_. And his expedition thro’ the _propontis_ to the _Euxine_
sea, the _Greeks_ colour over with their _Helle_ and _Hellespont_. But
we cannot entertain too high a respect for him, because I see it no
less reasonable, to refer the origin of the _Britons_ to him. I mean
that eastern colony that came hither with _Hercules_, upon the old
possessors or _aborigines Albionites_, which gave the more famous name
of _Britain_ to the island. The _Brigantes_ is the same name, says Mr.
_Baxter_ the common and more ancient name of this people: who being
driven northwards by inundations of foreigners from the continent in
after times, the name became more appropriate to the inhabitants of
_Yorkshire_ and the neighbouring counties. In _Tacitus_ the _Brigantes_
are called _maxima Brittanorum natio_. At the same time they forc’d
the ancientest possessors, the _Albionites_ or _Albanians_ still more
northwards. Likewise many of these _Brigantes_ pass’d into _Ireland_,
where they became a famous nation. The _Bryges_, _Phryges_, _Phrixi_,
_Brisones_, _Brigantes_, _Britones_ are intirely synonimous words in
different dialects. And this assignment of the origin of our ancestors,
very well accounts for that notion of their _Phrygian_ or _Trojan_
descent, so riveted in the minds of the old _Britons_. A notion which
prevail’d among some of the _Gallic_ nations on the continent, and they
had retain’d the memory of it, in the time of _Ammianus Marcellinus_,
who mentions it. Likewise in _Cæsar_’s time, some _Gallic_ nations,
claimed kindred with the _Romans_; probably upon this very account.
This is, in short, some presumptive evidence we have, of _Hercules_
and _Aphricus_ planting _Britain_, introducing the Druids with the
patriarchal religion: and concerning the knowledge they had of the use
of the compass. This whole matter will be further considered, when I
come to treat of it expressly. At present we will continue the history
of the compass, as it became more fully known to the world.
_Martinius_ in his _Atlas_, and _Gilbertus de magnete_, _Lib._ I.
2. show us, the _Chinese_ have us’d the magnetic needle from times
immemorial: that they have a trick of telling fortunes with it: as
the heathen afore-mentioned made it oracular. The _Arabians_ likewise
have us’d it, for travelling over the great and wild desarts, of
weeks together, where there is no track to guide them; nor have
they any notion of time when they began this practice. _Herwartius_
published _admiranda ethnicæ theologiæ_, wherein he endeavours to
prove that the old _Egyptians_ had the use of the magnetic needle,
and that the _Bembin_ table contains the doctrine of it, invelop’d
in hieroglyphicks. The learned _Fuller_ in his _Miscellanies Lib._
4. 19. asserts, that the _Phœnicians_ knew the use of it, which they
endeavour’d to conceal by all possible means, as they did their trading
in general. That it was lost with them, as many other arts, their _ars
plumaria_, the dying of purple, (the invention of our _Hercules_ of
_Tyre_) the _Hebrew_ poetry, and other curious knowledge, which is
perished.
’Tis not unlikely that the lodestone being applied to religious use,
was one cause of its being forgot: together with the secrecy of the
_Phœnician_ voyages. _Suetonius_ in _Nero_, speaks of a prophetic
needle, which the emperor us’d to pay his devotions to. The learned
_Burman_ shews, that most, or all of the old MSS. and printed books,
read it _acuncula_, _acucula_, or _acungula_; which, in my opinion, the
criticks have causelesly corrected into _icuncula_: because they had no
notion of the magnetic needle being understood by it.
Monsieur _Fauchet_, a famous _French_ antiquary, in his antiquities of
_France_, quotes some verses from a poet in that country, who wrote
A. D. 1180, wherein is as plain a description of the mariner’s box, as
words can make. The poet mentions it by accident, not as a thing new
and strange. _Osorius_ in his discourse of the acts of king _Emanuel_,
refers the use of the compass among the _Europeans_, to _Gama_ and
the _Portuguese_, who found it among some barbarous pyrates, about
the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_; who probably were some remains of the old
_Phœnicians_, or _Arabians_, or at least have preserved from them, this
practice. About A. D. 1260. _Paulus Venetus_ is said to have brought
it from _China_; by the great author on the magnet, our countryman
_Gilbert_. _Genebrand_ in his _chron._ says, the use of the lode-stone
reviv’d among us about A. D. 1303. by _Fl. Melvius_ a _Neapolitan_,
and others attribute it about that time to _John Goia_ a _Neapolitan_.
_Joseph de Costa_ says, some _Mahometan_ seamen whom _Vasquez de
Gama_ met with near _Mosambick_, who had sail’d those seas by the use
thereof, taught it him. I observe our ancient _Britons_, the _Welsh_,
call a steers-man or pilot _llywydd_, whence no doubt comes our
_English_ word lode-stone, and lode-star, the north-pole. _Llyw_ is the
helm of a ship in _British_. _Lodemanage_ in _Skinner_’s _etymology_ an
old _English_ word, signifying the price paid to the pilot. Our lords
of the _Cinque Ports_ keep a court at _Dover_, by that name. These
things seem to indicate some memorial of the magnet left among the
_Welsh_, from the oldest times: and of its application to sailing.
Thus have we given a kind of history of this prodigy in nature, the
magnetic needle: to confirm, our suspicion, that the _British_ Druids
knew the use of it, and used it in these works of theirs, which we
have been treating of. We learn in the _Philosophical Transactions_,
_Lowthorp_, Vol. II. p. 601. that there are considerable veins of the
magnet, in our own country, in _Devonshire_; where the _Phœnicians_ and
Druids must needs be very conversant.
We return now to our first subject _Stonehenge_, and apply what has
been said, to the observation we there made. It is not to be thought,
that the Druids, men who employed themselves in those noble studies,
which _Cæsar_ gives us an account of, and who were at the pains of
bringing these vast stones together, from such a considerable distance
of 16 miles: I say, it is not to be thought, but that they would be
nice and exact in placing them. And this, not only particularly, in
respect of each other, upon the projected ground-plot: but also in
general, in respect of the quarters of the heavens. And this I found
to be a just surmise, when I examined their works for several years
together, with sufficient accuracy, with a _theodilite_. As I took
notice before, the works of one place regarded the cardinal points,
but with a certain uniform variation therefrom. Whence I grounded my
conjecture, that they were set by a compass, which at that time varied,
according to that quantity observ’d. Of which property of variation
we may well suppose, the Druids were ignorant. This I now propose for
the rule of investigation, of the time when _Stonehenge_ was erected.
Hoping the reader will judge as favourably of the attempt, as things of
this great antiquity require.
[Illustration: TAB. XXXIII.
_P. 64._
_Prospect from Bushbarrow_
_Stukeley delin._
a. _Rundway hill_ b. _Oldbury_ D. _Stonehenge_.]
The variation at _Stonehenge_ is about 6 or 7 degrees, from the north
eastward. I have in order to form our hypothesis, set down a scheme of
the state of the variation in _England_, from the best observations
I could meet with. Dr. _Halley_ takes notice, that the variation at
_Paris_ is always 2 degrees and a half more easterly than with us.
_Orontius Finæus_ in 1550 observ’d it to be there, about 9 degrees,
easterly, therefore to reduce it, I have stated it at 11 degrees 30.
and from thence continued it, to the present time, as in the ensuing
table.
_Anno Dom._ Observation. Variation.
deg. min.
1550 By _Finæus_ 11 30 east.
1580 Mr. _Burroughs_ 11 15 east.
1600 8 0 east.
1622 Mr. _Gunter_ 6 0 east.
1634 Mr. _Gellibrand_ 4 5 east.
1642 3 5 east.
1657 Mr. _Bond_ 0 0
1665 Mr. _Bond_ 1 22 west.
1666 Capt. _Sturmy_ 1 27 west.
1667 Capt. _Sturmy_ 1 33 west.
1672 Dr. _Halley_ 2 30 west.
1683 4 30 west.
1685 5 5 west.
1692 6 0 west.
1723 11 0 west.
1733 12 0 west.
1740 15 45 west.
By this table it appears, that in the space of 180 years, the variation
of the magnetic needle in _England_, has shifted from 11 degrees and
a half eastward, to 11 degrees and a half westward. In 90 years the
medium of those extremes, which was 1657, there was no variation at
all; the needle pointing due north and south. But alas our observations
extend no farther. We know not the bound of the variation, on either
hand: nor the quantity of its motion, when thereabouts. Mr. _Geo.
Graham_ thinks it is now near the western bound. It is very slow, in
all probability, when upon the return, and as it were, stationary:
like the sun’s motion at the tropics, when it is returning. So that
the nice determination of its circle, and of its motion, is reserved
for remote posterity. Dr. _Halley_ conjectures, that the whole period
of variation, is perform’d in about 700 years. Upon this supposition,
in gross, we may thus found our conjecture, of the time of building of
_Stonehenge_.
By what we can find, the variation is about 9 minutes in a year, or
a degree and a half in 10 years, at this part of its circle. Now I
observ’d at _Stonehenge_, that the eastern wing of the avenue, the
_cursus_ and other parts belonging to the temple, abated somewhat in
their variation, eastward, being somewhat less than that of the temple
itself. It is highly reasonable to believe, that the great work of
_Stonehenge_ could not take less than half a score years in building:
and that those other works were made in succeeding years, not long
after it was finished. From hence I gather, which way the magnetic
variation was moving, at the time of founding _Stonehenge_, _viz._ from
east toward no variation and so to west. This must be the foundation of
our _calculus_.
Therefore at the time of the founding of _Stonehenge_, the variation
was about the same quantity and place, as about A. D. 1620. in our
preceding table. Supposing with Dr. _Halley_, the revolution of this
variation be about 700 years, three intire revolutions thereof, bring
us to about the year of the city of _Rome_ 280. which is about 460
years before our Saviour’s time: 420 years before _Cæsar_ invaded
_Britain_. About 100 years before our Saviour’s birth, _Divitiacus_
made the _Wansdike_ north of _Stonehenge_, and drove the possessors
of this fine country of the _Wiltshire_ downs, northwards. So that
the Druids enjoyed their magnificent work of _Stonehenge_, but about
360 years. And the very great number of barrows about it, requires,
that we should not much shorten the time. Sir _Isaac Newton_ in his
_Chronology_, reckons 19 years for a medium of a king’s reign. So
that in that space, there were about 19 kings, in this country. And
there seems to be about that number of royal barrows (in my way of
conjecturing) about the place.
I observe, this time we have assign’d for the building of _Stonehenge_,
is not long after _Cambyses_’s invasion of _Egypt_. When he committed
such horrid outrages there, and made such dismal havock, with the
priests and inhabitants in general, that they fled the country to all
parts of the world. Some went as far as the _East Indies_, and there
taught many of the antient _Egyptian_ customs; as is taken notice of
by the learned. It is not to be doubted that some of them fled as far
westward, into the island of _Britain_, and introduced some of their
learning, arts and religion, among the Druids; and perhaps had a hand
in this very work of _Stonehenge_: the only one that I know of, where
the stones are chizel’d. All other works of theirs, are of rude stones,
untouch’d of tool, exactly after the patriarchal and _Jewish_ mode:
therefore older.
This was at a time, when the _Phœnician_ trade was at height, the
readier a conveyance to _Britain_: it was before the second temple at
_Jerusalem_ was built: before the _Grecians_ had any history.
• • • • •
_Directions to the binder._
All the half sheet plates are to be bound up with the book, as single
leaves, according to their pages, and without guards, _viz._ Plate,
N^o. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,
29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. Those Plates, N^o. 11, 17, 19, 21, are to
be once folded in the middle, and bound up with guards. Those Plates,
N^o. 3, 5, 13, 18, 20, 22, are to be folded in three parts, and bound
up with guards.
[Illustration: _P. 66._ TAB. XXXIIII.
Carvilii Regis Tumulus Iuly 29. 1723.
A. _Wilton._ B. _Sorbiodunum._ C. _Salisbury._ D. _M. Aurelius._ E.
_the Icening street road._ F. _Harnham hill._ _Stukeley del._]
[Illustration: _P. 68._ TAB. XXXV.
_Groundplot of the Second Temple at Persepolis_
_The Perspective of the Second Temple at Persepolis._
_Stukeley delin._]