Stonehenge, located on Salisbury Plain in England, is one of the most famous and enigmatic prehistoric monuments in the world. This iconic circle of massive standing stones, surrounded by earthworks, has attracted attention for centuries and raises numerous questions about its origin, purpose, and the people who built it.
1. Built in Multiple Phases Over 1500 Years
Stonehenge was not built all at once, but in several phases over a very long period, from about 3000 BC to 1600 BC. Construction began in the late Neolithic period and continued into the Bronze Age.
The first phase (around 3000 BC) consisted of a circular earthwork bank and ditch (henge) enclosing 56 pits known as the ‘Aubrey Holes’. The famous stone structures were added much later.
2. Two Types of Stones: Sarsen and Bluestone
The monument mainly consists of two types of stones:
- Sarsen Stones: These are the largest stones, forming the iconic outer circle and the inner horseshoe-shaped ‘trilithons’ (two standing stones with a lintel stone on top). They are made of a very hard local sandstone, likely sourced from the Marlborough Downs, about 30 km (20 miles) to the north. The largest sarsens weigh over 40 tons.
- Bluestones: These are the smaller stones (still weighing up to 4 tons) arranged in a circle and a horseshoe within the sarsen structures. Remarkably, these stones are not local; they originate from the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, over 250 km (150 miles) away!
3. The Mystery of the Bluestones
How the prehistoric builders managed to transport the heavy bluestones over such a vast distance from Wales to Stonehenge is one of the greatest mysteries. Theories range from transport over land using sledges and rollers to transport by raft via the Bristol Channel and rivers.
Some recent theories even suggest the stones were originally part of an earlier stone circle in Wales (Waun Mawn) and were later moved to Stonehenge, possibly during a migration of people.
4. Precision in Construction
Despite using relatively simple tools (stone, wood, antler), Stonehenge exhibits remarkable precision in construction. The standing sarsen stones were carefully shaped to taper upwards and given a slight bulge (entasis), similar to Greek columns, creating an illusion of straightness.
The lintels were secured using mortise and tenon joints (projecting tenons on the uprights fit into hollowed-out mortises in the lintels) and tongue-and-groove joints (between the lintels themselves), techniques typically used in woodworking.
5. Astronomical Alignment
Stonehenge is famous for its astronomical alignments, particularly with the solstices. The main axis of the monument is roughly aligned with the sunrise on the summer solstice (around June 21st) and the sunset on the winter solstice (around December 21st).
On the morning of the summer solstice, the sun rises precisely over the ‘Heel Stone’, a large unworked sarsen stone located outside the main circle. This strongly suggests the monument was used for ceremonial or religious purposes related to the seasons and the movement of the sun (and possibly the moon).
6. Burial Site and Ceremonial Center
Archaeological research has shown that Stonehenge also served as a burial ground over a long period. Cremated remains of at least 64 individuals, dating from the early phase (around 3000 BC), have been found in the Aubrey Holes and around the monument.
Later, when the large stones were erected, the focus seems to have shifted more towards ceremonial activities, possibly related to ancestor worship, healing (due to the bluestones, sometimes considered to have healing properties), or seasonal rituals.
7. Who Built Stonehenge?
The identity of Stonehenge’s builders is not precisely known, as they left no written records. They were prehistoric peoples from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages living in southern England.
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Recent analyses of human remains found at Stonehenge and nearby settlements like Durrington Walls suggest a complex and mobile society. The construction required enormous organization, planning, and manpower, indicating a stratified social structure.
8. Connection with Durrington Walls and Woodhenge
Stonehenge likely did not stand alone but was part of a larger ceremonial landscape. Nearby sites such as Durrington Walls (a large Neolithic settlement and henge), Woodhenge (a monument with timber posts), and the Stonehenge Avenue (a processional way) suggest a complex relationship.
Some archaeologists believe that Durrington Walls and Woodhenge (associated with wood and life) were connected to rituals for the living, while Stonehenge (associated with stone and eternity) was linked to the dead and ancestors.
9. Later History and Decline
After about 1600 BC, Stonehenge gradually fell into disuse and decay. Some stones fell or were removed. In Roman times and the Middle Ages, the monument was already described and visited, often surrounded by legends (e.g., that it was built by Merlin).
Scientific interest grew from the 17th century onwards. Several restorations were carried out in the 20th century, during which fallen stones were re-erected (sometimes set in concrete).
10. Druids and New Age Celebrations
Although often associated with the Druids, Stonehenge was built thousands of years before the rise of the Celtic Druids. The association only emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries through antiquarians.
Nevertheless, Stonehenge has become an important spiritual site for modern Druids and other New Age groups, who gather there (especially during the summer solstice) for celebrations. This sometimes leads to tensions with the site managers (English Heritage) over access and preservation.
11. UNESCO World Heritage Site
Stonehenge, along with nearby Avebury and associated sites, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. This recognizes the exceptional universal value of the monument as a masterpiece of prehistoric engineering and architecture.
Ongoing efforts are made to protect the monument and its surroundings from the pressures of tourism and infrastructure (such as controversial plans for a tunnel under the landscape).
12. Unanswered Questions
Despite centuries of research, many questions about Stonehenge remain unanswered. What was its precise purpose? How exactly were the stones transported and erected? What was the meaning of the different phases and structures? Why was construction halted?
These unresolved mysteries contribute to the enduring fascination with Stonehenge and make it a unique window into our prehistoric ancestors.
Stonehenge is a timeless monument that testifies to the ingenuity, organization, and spiritual beliefs of prehistoric peoples. Its imposing stone circles, astronomical alignments, and the riddles surrounding its construction continue to captivate visitors and researchers alike. It reminds us of the deep connection our ancestors had with the cosmos, the seasons, and the landscape around them.
