In the Swedish village of Kåseberga there stands a megalithic monument constructed of 59 massive stones carefully arranged in the shape of a ship overlooking the Baltic Sea. The structure is known as Ales Stenar, or “Ale’s Stones”, and was generally believed to have been assembled about 1000 years ago.

But now some researchers are arguing that the site is actually closer to 2500 years old and built as an astrological calendar.

This is still a matter of some controversy among researchers familiar with the site, who say the claim has no backing. Several other “stone ships” dot the Scandinavian landscape, all believed to have been built between 500-1000 CE based on carbon dating and serve as burial monuments. There is no evidence that Ales Stenar is any different, and its perceived similarities to Stonehenge are likely coincidental.