Maarten van Hoek The Geography of Cup-and-Ring ... - StoneWatch

STONEHENGE
The fact that the images at Stonehenge all have their blades facing
upwards may be an expression of the ancient belief that axe-heads,
especially when positioned with the blade facing up, were able to turn
away evil forces and disasters. In some of the prehistoric settlements
in Denmark stone axe-heads have been found buried in an upright
position under a ceremonial hearth and, up to quite recently, farmers in
Germany used to bury axe-heads under their thresholds to protect
cattle against diseases.
In this respect it may be significant that the Naraio “axe” is also
depicted with its “blade” facing upwards. This, together with its
impressive dimensions, may have been done not only to confront people
who were approaching a possible settlement on the rough rocky hillock,
but also to turn away evil. This is, however, an isolated example: at all
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GEOGRAPHY