An expert in acoustics and music technology has claimed Stonehenge was designed to be a giant concert venue.Since the 5,000-year-old monument is partially collapsed, academic Rupert Till used a computer model and visited a full-size replica in Washington state to conduct the sound experiments. He is convinced Stonehenge's standing stones created ideal acoustics to amplify a "repetitive trance rhythm" -- and thus Stonehenge was likely used for dance parties.
While this may be news to some, we've bought into that theory ever since we first heard the band Spinal Tap refer to Stonehenge as a "magic place" where "the children dance."
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We always knew Stonehenge was the perfect backdrop for ancient raves and festivals. We're equally convinced the old-time parties were totally clothing-optional and some of the first in a long series of great moments in festival nudity:
Great Moments in Festival Nudity
Thirteen men start the traditional Nude Race at the Roskilde Festival in Copenhagen. The fastest of the runners were awarded T-shirts, tents and skin care products. Any nude woman would have been awarded a prize just to participate but no one showed up.
Carl Redhead, AFP / Getty Images
A group of people lie on the ground for a community nude picture by a fashion photographer at the Black Rock City's play during the Burning Man Festival in Nevada. An estimated thirty thousand people attend the festival, a spontaneous encounter of artists, performers and spectators, where the audience is expected to interact and collaborate during a week long event.
Hector Mata, AFP / Getty Images
Spectators covered in mud attend the Woodstock '94 at Winston Farm in Saugerties, NY.
Remi Benali, Getty Images
Festival goers enjoy themselves on the third and final day of the Glastonbury Music Festival in Somerset, England.
MJ Kim, Getty Images
Red Hot Chili Peppers performing at Woodstock '99.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
A naked roadie for The Wildhearts hands a guitar to lead vocalist "Ginger" at "The Carling Weekend: Reading Festival."
Louise Wilson, Getty Images
Hippies with matching floral motifs painted onto their chests during the Isle of Wight pop festival in 1970.
Roger Jackson, Central Press / Getty Images
People skinny dipping in a river during Woodstock 1969.
Bill Eppridge, Time Life Pictures / Getty Images
Hippie festival-goers enjoy the sunshine and good vibes at the second Glastonbury Fayre in 1971.
Ian Tyas, Keystone / Getty Images
Nick Oliveri formally of QOTSA. during the third music festival Rock in Rio, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Bruno Domingos, AFP / Getty Images
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Monday 05 January
By mb
Really? You're reporting this 23 months after NPR. But srsly, Stonehenge is awesome.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7079585
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Wednesday 07 January
By MB
Yeah the druid said,"that Rave was wicked awesome dude!" Stonehenge ROCKS!
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Wednesday 07 January
By rufus
some more dumba$$es with stupid ideas.
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Wednesday 07 January
By Wandar
That theory sounds logical since dancing has been used since mankind still has tribal dances in primitive countries.
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Wednesday 07 January
By robin
yea, the naked people who painted themselves. Wieyed! The girl painted in black looks like she is having the time of her life. Considering her goods are flopping freely in the wind. And check out the girl whos painted green?...idk about everyone else but there is a group of naked girls running around with paint but all I notice is that wierdos socks.. hmmm the little things in life I yet to understand
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Wednesday 07 January
By THOMAS WINCHEL
IT'S POSSIBLE THAT IF IT WAS DESIGNED FOR ACOUSTICS, THAT IT PROBABLY SENT SOUND OVER LONG DISTANCES--LIKELY TO INTIMIDATE INVADERS WITH THE NUMBER OF FIGHTERS BEING EXAGERATED BY THE ACOUSTICS OF THE STRUCTURE. MAYBE!
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