A groundbreaking study has challenged the widely held perception of Rujm el-Hiri, a prehistoric site in the Golan Heights often referred to as the “Wheel of Ghosts.”
Through advanced geomagnetic analysis and tectonic reconstruction, researchers revealed that geodynamic movements over the past 150 million years, at an average rate of 8–15 mm per year, have significantly shifted the ground beneath the site.
According to a report by SciTechDaily on Sunday, these movements gradually altered the orientation of the structure’s walls and entrances, raising doubts about its original alignment and its hypothesized function as an astronomical observatory.
According to a report by SciTechDaily, the study was recently published in the journal Remote Sensing. Researchers used geophysical methods and remote sensing techniques to analyze the site’s structure.
Their findings indicate that Rujm el-Hiri’s current alignment does not correspond to celestial patterns, such as the positions of solstices and equinoxes, during the period between 2500 and 3500 BCE. This contradicts earlier theories suggesting the site was used as an astronomical observatory.
The researchers calculated the sky map and the celestial alignments of the structure as they would have appeared thousands of years ago. Their analysis revealed that geodynamic movements lasting millions of years caused significant shifts in the ground, leading to the reorientation of the site’s walls and entrances.
“Due to these movements, the structure’s original position does not align with celestial observations,” the team explained. This discovery calls for a reassessment of Rujm el-Hiri’s purpose and its significance within the archaeological and historical landscape of the region.
In addition to studying Rujm el-Hiri, the research team mapped and documented archaeological features within a 30-kilometer radius around the Sea of Galilee. They visually analyzed the landscape to identify signs of historical human activity and reconstruct ancient archaeological sites.
The study has reopened discussions about the role of Rujm el-Hiri in the ancient world. While its function as an astronomical observatory may be disputed, the site’s significance as a cultural and historical landmark remains unquestionable.
