Aerial images shed light on mysterious Middle East stone circles

Archaeologists begin to unravel the mysteries of the ancient ‘Big Circles’

Freddy Mayhew  Saturday 01 November 2014
New aerial images are beginning to shed some light on the mystery surrounding large stone circles in the Middle East that have confounded archaeologists for decades.

The pictures, taken by the Aerial Photographic Archive for Archaeology in the Middle East (APAAME), show 11 ancient “Big Circles” each up to 400m in diameter in the desert landscape of Jordan.
Although they were first spotted by aircraft early last century, there has been very little focused research on the structures believed to date back at least 2,000 years.
Speaking to Live Science, researcher David Kennedy said their similarity was “too close to be a coincidence” however they’re actual purpose remains unknown.
It is hoped analysis of these new images, released on Friday, could help to reveal the reason behind their design and creation. (more…)  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/aerial-images-shed-light-on-mysterious-middle-east-stone-circles-9832968.html