Beneath The Sea of Galilee Enormous Monument Found, Near Mysterious Stonehenge Of The Levant

Initial findings indicate that the structure was built on dry land approximately 6,000 years ago, and later submerged under the water. Prof. Marco calls it an impressive feat, noting that the stones, which comprise the structure, were probably brought from more than a mile away and arranged according to a specific construction plan.

The unique megalithic site of Rogem Hiri, 17 km east of Khirbet Beteiha, includes four stone rings with an inner passage grave and has a diameter of 156 m. Many megalithic structures, including stone circles, menhirs, and dolmens are found along the Jordan Valley.  

 
The purpose of the stone rings is still unknown. Some of the theories of its use include:

Worship – According to this hypothesis, the site was used for special ceremonies during the longest and shortest days of the year. It seems, that in the year 3000 BCE, on the longest day, the first rays of the sun shone through the opening in the north-east gate, which is 20 by 29 meters. However, they did not shine in a perfect angle. It is assumed this is because the builders did not have sufficiently accurate architectural tools. The residents probably used the site to worship Tammuz and Ishtar, the gods of fertility, to thank them for the good harvest during the year. After the erection of the tomb in the center, the rays’ path was blocked.

Burial site – It appears that the place of worship later became a burial site for leaders or other important individuals. Supporting this theory was the tomb in the Dolman. However, no human remains were found, only objects pointing to its function as a tomb. Also, even if it were a tomb, that was not the site’s original function, as the tomb is a 1,000 years newer than the site itself.

Dakhma – Archaeologist Rami Arav suggests the site was used like the Dakhmas of the Zoroastrians, in which dead persons were laid out for birds to remove the flesh from their bones.

Calendar – Some believe the site was used an as ancient calendar. At the times of the two equinoxes, the sun’s rays would pass between two rocks, 2m in height, 5m in width, at the eastern edge of the compound. According to Anthony Aveni and Yonatan Mizrachi the entrance to the center opens on sunrise of the summer solstice. Other notches in the walls indicate the spring and fall equinoxes.

Astronomical observations – Perhaps the site was used for astronomical observations of the constellations, probably for religious calculations. Researchers found the site was built with dimensions and scales common for other period structures, and partly based on the stars’ positions

Citation: A Submerged Monumental Structure in the Sea of Galilee, Israelhttp://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1095-9270.12005/pdf