4 ms·

at a gut level, and I have no expertise, it seems more likely that these are representations created after the fact of what was built, rather than plans for wha

at a gut level, and I have no expertise, it seems more likely that these are representations created after the fact of what was built, rather than plans for what would be built. I base that mostly on the irregular arrangement of arcs along the circumference, which irregular arrangement could easily come about during construction with materials at hand, and then be drawn to scale, rather than being planned and then constructed. But again, what do I know.

pixel_tracing 3y ago
I would think some degree of carbon dating might answer this question?
- singularity2001 3y ago
  not if the drawing was done shortly after the creation, because carbon dating lacks such high precision
jimmySixDOF 3y ago
My gut agrees and would add that the map diagram makes for a great training/planning tool on its own as a way to organize the multiple teams involved with corralling animals into their Kite. I think its an old school chalkboard and have just as much reason to believe it as I do any other explanation.
- dalbasal 3y ago
  The original PowerPoint.
  - fsckboy 3y ago
    Power corrupts. PowerPoint corrupts absolutely. -- popular expression within microsoft
AlotOfReading 3y ago
Written down before or after initial construction aren't substantially different. I don't have as much specific knowledge of kites in particular, but based on similar structures elsewhere they almost certainly weren't continuously used and maintained. They would likely be used for one or two seasons, then abandoned for potentially decades at a time as the migrations shifted. When herds eventually returned to the area, people would likely go out and do some restoration ahead of the herds. That would be things like re-excavating the pits, replacing any decayed brush/sticks in the terminal funnels, repairing pit walls, and so on. You can't skip parts or animals may escape and the structure may be covered in all manner of brush or sediment that makes identification difficult on the ground. It's not necessary to have a plan for the kite, but it would still be pretty useful, especially if it's one that's rarely used so most of the people present might have never seen it.

pixel_tracing 3y ago

I would think some degree of carbon dating might answer this question?

singularity2001 3y ago
not if the drawing was done shortly after the creation, because carbon dating lacks such high precision

jimmySixDOF 3y ago

My gut agrees and would add that the map diagram makes for a great training/planning tool on its own as a way to organize the multiple teams involved with corralling animals into their Kite. I think its an old school chalkboard and have just as much reason to believe it as I do any other explanation.

dalbasal 3y ago
The original PowerPoint.
- fsckboy 3y ago
  Power corrupts. PowerPoint corrupts absolutely. -- popular expression within microsoft

AlotOfReading 3y ago

Written down before or after initial construction aren't substantially different. I don't have as much specific knowledge of kites in particular, but based on similar structures elsewhere they almost certainly weren't continuously used and maintained. They would likely be used for one or two seasons, then abandoned for potentially decades at a time as the migrations shifted. When herds eventually returned to the area, people would likely go out and do some restoration ahead of the herds. That would be things like re-excavating the pits, replacing any decayed brush/sticks in the terminal funnels, repairing pit walls, and so on. You can't skip parts or animals may escape and the structure may be covered in all manner of brush or sediment that makes identification difficult on the ground. It's not necessary to have a plan for the kite, but it would still be pretty useful, especially if it's one that's rarely used so most of the people present might have never seen it.