Doreen's World

Archaeologists today moved a step closer to solving the mystery of Stonehenge when they disclosed findings to support their theory that it was a prehistoric Lourdes.

The findings suggesting its significance as a healing centre for pilgrims came in a historic dig at the World Heritage Site earlier this year.

The first excavation for more than 40 years uncovered fragments of stone which could have been used as lucky charms.

Professors Tim Darvill and Geoffrey Wainwright today gave their preliminary findings of the two-week dig from March 31 to April 13.

They said they could now pinpoint the date at which the blue stones - which the archaeologists believe hold the key to Stonehenge - were brought to the site in Wiltshire from West Wales, as 2,300 BC, which was 300 years later than previously thought.

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Originally published at Ramblings.

He survived against all the odds; now Peng Shulin has astounded doctors by learning to walk again.

When his body was cut in two by a lorry in 1995, it was little short of a medical miracle that he lived.

took a team of more than 20 doctors to save his life.

Skin was grafted from his head to seal his torso but the legless Mr Peng was left only 78cm (2ft 6in) tall.

Bedridden for years, doctors in China had little hope that he would ever be able to live anything like a normal life agan.

But recently, he began exercising his arms, building up the strength to carry out everyday chores such as washing his face and brushing his teeth.

Doctors at the China Rehabilitation Research Centre in Beijing found out about Mr Peng's plight late last year and devised a plan to get him up walking again.

They came up with an ingenious way to allow him to walk on his own, creating a sophisticated egg cup-like casing to hold his body with two bionic legs attached to it.

He has been taking his first steps around the centre with the aid of his specially adapted legs and a resized walking frame.

Mr Peng, who has to learn how to walk again, is said to be delighted with the device.

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Originally published at Ramblings.