Are there any square circles?

Question

I'm talking about stone (or wood) prehistoric circles like stonehenge. The ones I have seen are circular or ellipses.

My 4 year old son asked the other day when he saw a picture of one in a book. "Are there any square circles?" I don't know if there are. Are there any square, triangular or other shaped ones? And if there aren't, why not?

I think it's a very good question and raises a lot of important issues.

Oh Lord : I know what shape circles are!

I am asking if there anyone knowledgeable in archaeology if there are any prehistoric structures commonly known as 'stone circles' come in any different shapes anywhere and if they don't why not?

Answer 1

A square circle. Firstly I know what you are talking about. Seahenge isn't exactly round I don't think. There are many plinths on the continent that do not conform to structures as they are laid out on Salisbury Plain. Good sources for this are druidical societies. Might want to get in touch with one of them.

Here in America the only squared circle is a boxing ring.

Answer 2

what sorts of important issues might this raise?!

A circle is a circle. by definition it cannot be a square. If a square "circle" exists, it is only a square.

just like "black" cannot also be "white"
This would violate the law of non-contradiction.

if A=A, A cannot be B. it can only be A.
unless A also = B.
But clearly, a circle CANNOT be a square.

Answer 3

Most of them seem to be directly linked to movements of astral bodies which explains the circular/elliptical forms, off-hand I don't know of any that are square or geometric, although they often have avenues leading to them marked off by stones.

Answer 4

If they are square, they are not a circle. Greek architecture has round columns set in a square or rectangle.

They call a boxing ring a "square circle".