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Ley Lines and the Allure of Imposing Order on History's Chaos

Atlas Obscura • Published on 12 Feb 2025 • ~3250 words
Colin Dickey explores ley lines, theorized as unseen lines connecting ancient sites, and their evolution from archaeological speculation to metaphysical importance. It traces the origins of the idea to Alfred Watkins' "The Old Straight Track" and its subsequent interpretations, capturing the imagination of both skeptics and believers alike.
The contemporary world, after all, is already gridded with lines—railway tracks, interstates, property lines, and the boundaries of towns, cities, counties and states—all of which are necessary to keep private property and capitalism functioning and running on schedule. To re-envision the world via ley lines is to argue for an alternative cartography in which these concerns are superseded by something more fundamental.

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Added on 17 Feb 2025 18:38

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