Welcome to reppin’ nature!
This channel explores megaliths, ancient landscapes, and what they were actually built for.
I’ve visited hundreds of megalithic sites across Europe, and through repeated time in the field, clear patterns begin to emerge. The same forms. The same placement in the landscape. The same types of stone. Nothing random.
My approach is experiential and observational. Rather than theory alone, my work is grounded in direct contact with the land, the stones, and long-term on-site experience.
I explore what I call Earth-Centric Technology — the idea that megaliths were practical, functional systems built in cooperation with the Earth, using stone, water, light, sound, and landscape to support survival, wellbeing, and the continuation of life.
I don’t see megaliths as monuments to the dead. I see them as living places, built with intent.
This channel explores the forgotten purpose of megaliths.
Cheers,
David
reppin’ nature (David O’Connor)
A few photos from Anta dos Saragonheiros 1, a beautiful dolmen in Portalegre, Portugal.
It’s a remote megalithic site set in a quiet, open landscape north of Alpalhão.
The dolmen has a large polygonal chamber, a long entrance corridor and a separate granite menhir positioned beside the south-eastern end of the corridor.
It forms part of a wider megalithic landscape with other dolmens nearby. I also visited Anta 2 which is only a wee walk away and much more ruinous and raw. I believe there’s a third Anta nearby too but I couldn’t find it!
I loved the setting here, the dolmen surrounded by trees, the open landscape and the feeling of isolation and solitude.
3 days ago | [YT] | 62
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reppin’ nature (David O’Connor)
What if megaliths were not simply monuments but functional systems built to work with nature?
Stone circles, dolmens, standing stones and other megalithic sites are commonly interpreted through burial, ritual, ceremony, astronomy and symbolism.
I don’t necessarily think those interpretations are wrong.
People buried their dead at some of these places, they no doubt gathered there, performed ceremonies and observed the sky.
But does that necessarily explain why they were built?
These were seriously hardcore construction projects. Our ancient ancestors moved and erected stones weighing many tonnes, sometimes over generations. That required an extraordinary investment of time, labour and cooperation. They went to extreme lengths to construct these monuments.
So what motivated them?
If your survival, and the survival of your children, depended on clean water, fertile land, healthy animals and the wellbeing of your community, you would be extremely motivated to understand the natural world and work with it.
That sits at the heart of an idea I call Earth-Centric Technology.
I introduced this idea last year in my film The Forgotten Purpose of Megaliths.
https://youtu.be/s82bhgMsRCI?is=ay_J7...
The idea is that megalithic sites may have been functional and practical systems for life, built by people who understood their environments deeply and worked with stone, water, light, sound and the landscape itself.
Before a single stone was erected, the landscape was already there. Nature came first. Perhaps our ancestors recognised particular qualities within certain places and then deliberately enhanced them through stone.
But why?
My own interpretation is that the underlying purpose of at least some megalithic sites may ultimately have been survival, wellbeing and the continuation of life.
Clean water, food, fertile land, healthy animals, human health and the continuation of the community.
Earth-Centric Technology is the framework I use to investigate why megaliths may have been built and how they may have functioned.
Nature → Recognition → Enhancement → Purpose
I explore this in much more depth through Callanish in my latest film, but I think the same framework can potentially be applied to many other megalithic sites and complexes. I don’t think that means every monument had the same function. Different landscapes would have presented different conditions and opportunities but perhaps the underlying principle was similar, recognising something already present in nature and then deliberately enhancing it.
If you’d like to watch my Callanish film, The Forgotten Purpose of the Callanish Stones, here’s the link.
https://youtu.be/37lEYrQjmI4?is=1jkaR...
Cheers,
David
1 week ago | [YT] | 76
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reppin’ nature (David O’Connor)
Why do you think the Callanish Stones were built?
An astronomical observatory? A place for ritual and ceremony? A sacred landscape? Or did they have a more practical purpose that we’ve forgotten?
I explore this question in my new film, The Forgotten Purpose of the Callanish Stones.
You can watch the full film here:
https://youtu.be/37lEYrQjmI4?is=JrV2M...
If you enjoy it, please give it a wee like and leave a comment. It really helps the film reach more people. Cheers
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 52
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reppin’ nature (David O’Connor)
The Holy Mountain and the Knights Templar…
I had a grand day out yesterday with my eldest son and Gaia as I returned to Monsanto, which is without a doubt one of my favourite ancient sites and landscapes in Portugal!
Monsanto in central Portugal exudes a magical aura and you can’t help but feel you are entering a fairytale world.
This is a fascinating and powerful place, both historically and energetically. Its dramatic landscape of massive granite boulders, which have been used to build homes and fortifications, makes it one of the most unique villages in Portugal. It’s not surprising that House of the Dragon, prequel to Game of Thrones, was filmed here.
It was originally inhabited by the Lusitanians, a Celtic-Iberian people who considered it a sacred site. It was then occupied by the Romans, invaded by the Visigoths and conquered by the Arabs. It was the Knights Templar who subsequently constructed the hilltop castle in the 12th century, which still presides over the village.
It was no doubt coveted due to its strategic position high atop the mountain, but I also believe it was for energetic and spiritual reasons. The energy at Monsanto is palpable and on another level!
Many of these massive boulders naturally frame enclosures, pathways and shelters, and there are many faces in stone, which makes this an incredible ancient landscape. As you go beyond the fortress, you can walk to a space surrounded by massive boulders which feels like it may have been used for rituals or ceremonies. There are also incredible acoustic properties which we tested out.
It always feels like a wee bit of a pilgrimage whenever I come here and it’s a real sensory feast and experience.
~ Below is a full walking tour video of Monsanto and if you fancy a day tour here with me, you can get in touch through my website. Cheers
https://youtu.be/xCZFp77E-fo?is=Odxkj...
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 86
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reppin’ nature (David O’Connor)
Cheers to Justin West for having me as a guest on Podcast Portugal!
www.podcastportugal.com/episodes/ancient-stones-li…
We had a great chat about my personal journey, stopping drinking, moving to Portugal, being drawn to nature, our ancient history and eventually megaliths.
We also discuss Portugal’s incredible megalithic heritage, Earth-Centric Technology, the purpose of megaliths and our connection with nature.
Was a great conversation! Have a wee listen and let me know what you think. Cheers
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 29
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reppin’ nature (David O’Connor)
NEW FILM | The Forgotten Purpose of the Callanish Stones
https://youtu.be/37lEYrQjmI4?is=t7tYN...
Why was Callanish built?
My new film exploring the Callanish Standing Stones is now available.
I’ve spent the last few months researching, writing, filming and putting this together, drawing on everything I’ve learned from visiting Callanish and hundreds of other megalithic sites over the last few years.
In the film I explore the wider Callanish landscape, looking at water, geology, light, sound, the Moon and the other megalithic sites surrounding it.
It’s also where I explore my idea of Earth-Centric Technology in more depth. The idea that megaliths were practical systems for life, built by working in partnership with the Earth.
Callanish is without a doubt my favourite megalithic site and landscape I’ve visited, and this is the most in-depth film I’ve made about a single place.
Cheers,
David
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 44
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reppin’ nature (David O’Connor)
Why would people spend generations building Callanish?
If your survival depended on clean water, food, healthy animals and the wellbeing of your community, what would justify the enormous investment of time and labour required to build a place like this?
That question sits at the heart of my new film, The Forgotten Purpose of the Callanish Stones.
I’ve spent the last few months researching, writing and putting this film together, exploring Callanish not just as a collection of stones but as a much larger system working with water, geology, light, sound, the sky and the landscape itself.
It’s also where I explore my idea of Earth-Centric Technology in more depth. The idea that megaliths were practical systems for life, built by working in partnership with the Earth.
The film premieres tonight at 9pm UK time on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/37lEYrQjmI4?is=TpMby...
I’d love to hear what you think.
Cheers,
David
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 53
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reppin’ nature (David O’Connor)
Shadows and stone at Callanish…
Without a doubt my favourite megalithic site and landscape.
My new film The Forgotten Purpose of the Callanish Stones premieres this Friday at 9pm (UK).
https://youtu.be/37lEYrQjmI4?is=qSTJp...
1 month ago | [YT] | 79
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reppin’ nature (David O’Connor)
PREMIERE | The Forgotten Purpose of the Callanish Stones | Friday, 7 August at 9pm (UK)
Why was Callanish built?
For decades the Callanish Standing Stones have been interpreted as ceremonial sites, ritual monuments and astronomical observatories.
But what if we’ve been asking the wrong question?
After visiting hundreds of megalithic sites across Scotland, Portugal, Spain and beyond, I’ve brought everything I’ve learned together into my most in-depth documentary yet.
The Forgotten Purpose of the Callanish Stones premieres this Friday at 9pm (UK).
I hope you enjoy the film. I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts in the comments after you’ve watched it.
🔔 Premiere link: https://youtu.be/37lEYrQjmI4?is=QYvpV...
Cheers,
David
1 month ago | [YT] | 44
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reppin’ nature (David O’Connor)
Cnoc Nan Dursainean is a cairn on the Isle of Lewis.
This was from one of my trips to Lewis last year. I still have quite a few sites to share from Lewis that I haven’t got round to sharing.
I remember the walk to this site quite well. A walk across this open moor and I was followed part of the way by a raven which added to the experience of being alone in this remarkable landscape. As you see the cairn approach on the horizon it’s an amazing feeling.
I’m almost finished my new Callanish film which I hope to share soon. Cheers
1 month ago | [YT] | 45
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