The Stone Labyrinths of Bolshoi Zayatsky Island

Bolshoi Zayatsky is a modest isle belonging to the Solovetsky archipelago inwards the Onega Bay of the White Sea , inwards Russia. The isle is habitation to virtually xiii or fourteen mysterious labyrinths every bit good every bit to a greater extent than than 850 heaps of boulders together with numerous other rock settings such every bit a rock symbol alongside radial spokes , mayhap representing the sun. The locals telephone phone them "vavilons".

The labyrinths are constructed from local boulders gear upwards inwards rows on the Blue Planet inwards the form out of spirals. Often in that location are 2 spirals gear upwards i into some other , which has been likened to "two serpents alongside their heads inwards the pump looking at each other". Intermittently along the spiral in that location are thicker or wider heaps of stones; the ends of the spirals are likewise wider. Each labyrinth has solely i entrance which likewise serve every bit the exit. The smallest labyrinth measures unopen to 6 meters inwards diameter , alongside the largest existence 25.4 meters across.

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Photo credit: Weird Russia

It’s non clear why the rock labyrinths were built. It has been suggested they the labyrinths symbolised a edge betwixt this Earth together with the underworld together with they may convey been used for specific rituals to tending the souls of the dead move to some other world.

Another hypothesis is that the labyrinths were fish traps. Evidence of this comes from the fact that all of the labyrinths inwards the portion were built unopen to the ocean together with H2O levels were much higher five ,000 years agone , when it is believed they were constructed. The fish would convey swum inwards through the entrance together with piece of job out trapped inwards the labyrinth , making it easier for fisherman to yell back their catch.

Yet some other theory is that inside the lines of labyrinths was the schematic reflection of both the sun's together with moon's orbits , together with thence the labyrinths were used every bit calendars.

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