Stone Wheel Structures Discovered in the Middle East

Those who are familiar with the Nazca lines in Peru will be delighted to learn that a similar discovery has been made: this time, in the Middle East. Instead of lines, however, these wheel shaped structures can only be seen from the sky, not from the earth and have been dated as far back as 2,000 years ago. Spread out over the Azraq Oasis in Jordan, each wheel has its own unique pattern inside which resembles the glass canes in a millefiori paperweight. But instead of glass, these stones are made of hardened lava. The structures range from between 82 feet wide to 230 feet wide. With such a unique find, the present mystery is why they are formed the way they are, and do they have any historical significance?

It is entirely possible that these lava rocks simply are positioned due to nature instead of being man made. But some of the patterns inside of these circles are perfectly symmetrical, which implies that the interior could have been created by someone, or a tribe that lived in this desert oasis 2,000 years ago. Before the advent of Islam in the Middle East, pagan tribes worshiped divinities of nature, ascribing them names such as Gad and Marduk. What would the purpose of these wheels be for the pagans? The question is rather easy to answer, since the life cycle is circular in the pagan religions, versus linear, as it is in Judaism and Christianity. Perhaps these wheels are some sort of symbol to an ancient Middle Eastern goddess, commemorated during the seasonal points of year. Past evidence shows that the female gender of divinity has been worshiped in the form of Venus figurines found in Golan Heights, Israel (Venus of Berekht Ram) and Kermanshah, Iran (Venus of Tepe Sarab). It is also possible that these wheels have been used for astronomical events, as a calendar of some type that would keep track of the seasons and harvesting time.

These lava circles are not arranged in one large circle, however; when viewed from above in a helicopter or airplane, they are spread out into a snake like form. Chances are that archaeologist David Kennedy from the University of Western Australia will be able to shed some light on the true meaning of these circles when his team further investigates these mysterious circles. For now, though, this fascinating discovery will provide some artistic value, having the rest of us ask, "Were these circles made by man or alien?" Only time will tell.

http://www.livescience.com/16045-aerial-photos-mysterious-stone-structures.html

The Art of Ancient Iran: Pre-Islamic Cultures. Edith Porada. New York: Crown Publishers. 1965.