Monthly Archives for September 2009

Polystyrene Henge–Stonehenge for Lizards!

build-Stonehenge-for-lizard 2photos from Lizard-Landscapes.com, with permission

“You know you’ve always wanted to build a model Stonehenge…” How can we resist posting a model Stonehenge from a page that begins with those words!? This website has a page telling how to create a Stonehenge model for a pet who is ordinarily confined to a cage or dry aquarium. And it’s brilliant!

Poor creatures–after all, what are the chances they’re ever going to get to Wiltshire? Srsly? So it’s your job to bring Stonehenge to them. And luckily for you, Andy, the proprietor of Lizard-Landscapes.com, is amazingly good at making faux stone things and demonstrating how to do it. There’s even a step-by-step video! Check it out here: How to Build a Model Stonehenge.

build-Stonehenge 2As sometimes happens, we started out chuckling when we first stumbled across this (Stonehenge for your lizard? Rly?), but upon closer examination, we were impressed. He looked at Stonehenge. Carefully. He says the word sarsen, and would have said trilithon if he’d known the word. He was reaching for it, but could only come up with “Stonehenge structures.” The point is, he noticed. Well done, sir!

And he says, both in the text and on the video that “You know you’ve always wanted to” make a model of Stonehenge. Ha! This strikes at what we refer to as the Clonehenge mystery. Yes, for many people this has the ring of truth, but why? Why have so many people always wanted to create a Stonehenge model? Why does it turn up everywhere? It is a question we ponder. Instead of doing anything worthwhile.

In the meantime, it’s worth watching the video just to see the green anole  (the lizard above) leaping from stone to stone. No doubt this is how it was when Stonehenge was built, back in the age of the dinosaurs.  (You didn’t think men coexisted with dinosaurs? See the proof here!) And, although unrelated to dinosaurs, be sure to check out his miniature city page, if only to see the lizard rampaging through the streets when it’s finished. If you’ll pardon the expression–Cool!

Score: 7 druids. We love being surprised and entertained. Hmmm . . . maybe we should build a Stonehenge for our cat. Or better yet, in the local elementary school playground. So many replicas needed, so little time!

Butterhenge II: Stonehenge on a Plate

butterhenge 2photo and henge by Dave and Janet Burt, with permission

Finally the sculpted butterhenge we’d hoped for! To use a quip from a comment on the last butterhenge we posted, I can’t believe it’s not Stonehenge! We were interested to learn that Dave and Janet Burt, its creators, were not inspired by our request for a sculpted butterhenge, but were forced to sculpture by a lack of enough sticks, not even aware of the pioneering butterhengers before them.

But in henging as in real life sometimes difficulty breeds excellence. It is not perfect, but unlike many replica makers these two actually took time to look at a picture or model of Stonehenge. Some of those sarsen shapes do look familiar!

One of the hengers writes “I think the plate makes a nice outer ring, and placing it in the ferns gives it a magical kind of look (although not reminiscent of the stark English countryside). Seems to match most of your criteria, although am hoping size doesn’t matter in this instance.” So they have given thought to the ring and ditch and even to the plain itself, if only to note that it is not accurately represented. *nod of approval* In all things, folks, attention is key. And does size matter? We leave that question to greater minds than our own. There is room for every size in the world of Stonehenge replicas.

Score for this bovine-sourced replica: 7 druids. Maybe even 7½. And Dave and Janet say they’re already put their thinking caps on for the next henge project. If this one’s any indicator, we’re sure it will be the cream of the crop!

Stonehenge Built – in a day! Wiltshire Heritage Museum

Stonehenge5photos by Pete Glastonbury, with permission

On Sunday (30 August, 2009 for those of you who are reading this from the future), Wiltshire Heritage Museum and Julian Richards held an event for families in which visitors could help build a partial Stonehenge replica. You may remember our announcement here. By all accounts, including this one, it was a success and a good time was had by all.Stonehenge6

We love the picture on the right. The excessively cute future archaeologist in pink  is putting everything on hold in order to take in what Mr. Richards is teaching them about Stonehenge.

The lesson we want to leave you with today: It’s never too early to introduce Stonehenge replica building to your children! And community Stonehenge building is bound to be the way it was originally done, no matter how Wally Wallington tries to convince people otherwise. Score: 6½ druids. Because while it’s only a trilithon, involving people in the project spreads the word. And, hey, it’s in Wiltshire–automatically more authentic! May this kind of event spread to archaeological museums everywhere.

Stonehenge4

Waterfall Stonehenge, A Gift for Your Garden

lame 2

photo from Opulent Items website

It’s not for every garden. But look: you do not need to erect huge stones in order to have “this aquatic Stonehenge replica” in your garden. Just assemble the metal encasement and fill it with the Mexican pebbles. Voila! Just like a Stonehenge trilithon but even better because there’s a pump cycling water through it to create a constant waterfall. Heh.

So what if it looks like a standing gabion? [Admit it–you learned a new word just then!] The website says: “The serene sights and sounds of the flowing waterfall is a gift to any patio setting. . . . Ideal if seeking very unique outdoor decor ideas.” It is very unique, and its sights and sounds is a gift.

This isn’t our first Stonehenge water feature. Remember this? After seeing this one, we almost feel we should have given that one another druid or two. In fact, if this weren’t called “Waterfall Stonehenge” we probably wouldn’t even be looking at it. But it’s good to have a post about something like this once in a while, isn’t it? Pointing out lameness can be fun if done in moderation.

Score:  3½ druids, and that’s generous. Not, we hasten to say, that it might not be just the special feature one needs for that certain garden (after all , it is only $5,500), and a miniature version might even be a charming touch for some of those miniature gardeners out there. You know who you are!