Introduction
There are many mystical places throughout the Earth that are actually real places with a deep history. These places are deeply surrounded in mystery and attract much attention based on their mystical attributes. It has been my choice to focus on two of these special places. The chosen sites are Stonehenge and Easter Island.
Stonehenge
Perhaps one of the most well-known mystical places in the world is the monument known as Stonehenge. This monument is believed to have been constructed in the Neolithic period over 4000 years ago. In my eyes, one of the deepest mysteries of the stones is why they were constructed. There are numerous theories that abound and each has its own unique appeal. The theories range from religious to astronomical but there is no certainty as to the real reason.
The stones, according to archaeologists, were also painstakingly constructed with a degree of precision that was unknown at that time period. This is another factor that deepens the mystery of the stones. The construction sets the stones in layers of circles that move inward to enclose the site gradually and there is a large ditch or henge that surrounds the stones as well. The advanced architecture used to construct this monument over 4000 years ago is astounding and baffling. Construction also took 25 generations and continued over a period that is estimated to be 2000 years. The construction had to be important and vital to the people making this place a mystical place filled with uncertainties.
The age of the stones and their survival is also an instrumental aspect of the wonder and mysticism of Stonehenge. The importance of the site and monument through history is not understood but the fact that the site is preserved illustrates importance. Another factor is the setting of the site. It is a green landscape and the stones add magnetism to the site and there is the perception of some kind of emission of power from the setting of the site. The spot deserving of all that effort must have some sacred, holy or other property.
Transport of the stones was another issue raised and a mystery as well. The stones origins are believed to be from as far as a mountain in Wale approximately 385km away. The stones are about 4 tonnes and there was no wheel in these times so the movement of the stones to this point is also one of the mysteries of the site.
A phenomenon has been observed that only with the changing seasons is it possible to view the sunrise from the middle of the stones. There are a few times in the year when this is possible making the purpose of this significant but still not understood. Was this site a temple or a tool for astronomers?
Added to all this are the many tales that explain the stones from the henge being the gateway to our origins to it being magic stones bought by the devil and perhaps the most popular tale that it was moved from Ireland by Merlin under the direction of the father of King Arthur to make a monument to the Saxon soldiers buried there. The mystery and mysticism of this site continues.
Easter Island
This is one of the most isolated places on Earth and is located in the Southern Pacific. It is a solitary island with a couple of small islets offshore but otherwise solitary. This place with its solitary nature has a natural mystic appeal even without the additional factors.
The island is not your typical tropical island and is in fact unique in its vegetation and geography. The island has few trees and is really a place filled with rolling grasslands. There are no mountains with the exception of the remains of three volcanoes that are located at the three corners of the island and highlight the triangular form of the island. There are few beaches and the shoreline is filled with rocky caves. The island has no rivers or streams as well. The landscape is in itself a mystery without the added human factors.
Perhaps the most outstanding factor making this place even more mystic is the presence of hundreds of megalithic human-like statues called “moai” scattered though the outer bounds of the island and facing inward. It is now believed that these statues were built by early Polynesian settlers but the reasoning as to their construction is still deliberated. Whatever the reasons the mystical appeal is present due to these statues in large and the other unknowns surrounding them.
There have been theories that detail reasons such as political, economic and ideological factors for construction. Even more theories now abound based on the transport of these statues around the island. There were little resources available such as trees and rope and little man-power on the island. Some of the statues were moved as far as 288km away from their carving site, a quarry on the island. Now theories suggest that the island may have had enough resources to assist in moving the statues. While some theories have been tested and proven possible there is no evidence that details the transport of the statues.
On the island there was a sudden halt in the construction of the statues that coincided with a change in the faith of the natives to worshipping a bird-manlike god. This is also another mystery of the island as to what changed to cause the natives to stop building their statues.
The mysteries that surround the island all add to the mysticism and appeal of the island and make it a place that is in my mind considered mystic.
References
§ Dimitrakopoulos, S., (April 15, 2004).
Stonehenge: Unearthing a Mystery. Retrieved April 3rd, 2007, from http://www.exn.ca/mysticplaces/whatisit.asp.
§ Dimitrakopoulos, S., (April 15, 2004).
Construction of Stonehenge: A process of blood sweat and tears. Retrieved April 3rd, 2007, from http://www.exn.ca/mysticplaces/construction.asp
§ Dimitrakopoulos, S., (April 15, 2004).
Mystery of Stonehenge points to heaven. Retrieved April 3rd, 2007, from http://www.exn.ca/mysticplaces/enigma.asp
§ Hunt, S., (October 12, 1999).
Rapa Nui and its moai. Retrieved April 3rd, 2007, from http://www.exn.ca/mysticplaces/statues.asp
§ Hunt, S., (October 12, 1999).
The mystery of the “walking” statues. Retrieved April 3rd, 2007, from http://www.exn.ca/mysticplaces/building.asp
§ Hunt, S., (October 12, 1999).
Is bigger really better? Retrieved April 3rd, 2007, from http://www.exn.ca/mysticplaces/riseandfall.asp