Introduction to Rujm el-Hiri:
Rujm el-Hiri is an ancient basalt rock structure located in the Golan Heights, approximately 16 kilometers east of the Sea of Galilee. This monument, also referred to as the "Stonehenge of the East," has fascinated scientists for years due to its unusual shifting over time. The structure, built nearly 5,000 years ago, has moved tens of meters since its construction, leading researchers to wonder about the reasons behind this movement and its original purpose.

Recent Study and Tectonic Movement:
A new study published in Remote Sensing offers insight into why Rujm el-Hiri has shifted over time. The study reveals that the tectonic plates in the region around the Golan Heights move at a rate of 0.3 to 0.6 inches per year. Over the last 4,000 years, this gradual movement has caused the monument to shift by approximately 131 feet (about 10 meters), resulting in a change in the structure's alignment.

Previous Theories on the Monument's Purpose:
Prior to this study, many scientists believed that Rujm el-Hiri was an ancient sky observatory. This theory was based on the idea that the stone circle’s alignment might have been specifically designed to track celestial events. To investigate this, researchers redrew the sky map and analyzed the alignment of cosmic events and celestial bodies from around 3,500 BC to 2,500 BC, comparing it to the monument's current structure.

Study Findings and Misalignment:
After analyzing the data, scientists found that the current orientation of Rujm el-Hiri's radial walls and gateways was significantly different from its original alignment during the period between 4000 BC and 2000 BC. This means that the alignment with celestial bodies once proposed for the structure is no longer supported by the data, suggesting that the original purpose of the monument might not have been related to astronomical observation.

Complexity of the Monument:
Satellite surveys of Rujm el-Hiri revealed that the site includes more than just a stone circle. The monument features burial mounds, linear stone walls, and circular flower-like enclosures, indicating that it is part of a much larger, complex network of ancient structures. This suggests that Rujm el-Hiri was not just a solitary monument, but a significant part of a larger, interconnected archaeological site.

Construction Details:
Rujm el-Hiri is composed of 42,000 basalt rocks, some of which are up to 2.5 meters high, arranged in concentric circles. The outer circle of the monument spans about 150 meters in diameter. The complexity and size of the structure have led to continued interest and debate among archaeologists regarding its purpose and construction.

Call for Further Research:
Despite the insights gained from this study, the researchers emphasize that further excavation and research are needed. Additional investigations into the features of the monument and the surrounding area may help uncover more details about why so many resources were invested in constructing Rujm el-Hiri and what its true purpose was in ancient times.