Stonehenge
Stonehenge is located in Wiltshire, England, about 2 miles west of Amesbury and 8 miles north of Salisbury. It was first built in 2,000 BC and is now one of the most famous sites in the world. It is a prehistoric monument that holds a large amount of history and culture representing the lives of the people who lived there over 5000 years ago.
Studies suggest that the site was built through three different stages known as Stonehenge I, Stonehenge II and Stonehenge III. The construction of Stonehenge I, began thousands of years ago by the native Neolithic people of England. A large circular ditch that was 20 feet wide and 7 feet deep was built by the Neolithic people who used deer antlers as picks. They then used chalky rubble taken from the ditch to build a steep bank circle inside the outer circle. Inside the bank circle they dug out 56 shallow holes known as Aubrey holes. The Aubrey holes were built as post holes, dug to support wooden poles. To finish the construction of Stonehenge I two parallel stones were placed at the entrance to the circle however only one still remains standing and is known as the Slaughter Stone. This stone was believed to be used for human sacrifice however some archaeologists are sceptical on whether this belief is true. Stonehenge I is believed to have only been inhabited for about 500 years and was then abandoned by the native Neolithic people.
The construction of Stonehenge II began in 2100 BC and involves the process of assembling the bluestones that make up majority of the site. The bluestones originally came from the Preseli Mountains in South Wales, nearly 250 miles away. There 80 stones in total all weighing up to 4 tons each and although the method on how these rocks were transported is still unknown, archaeologists have presented some theories. An entrance way to the semicircle of bluestones that was aligned with the midsummer sunrise was also created. This alignment was continued by the clearing of a new entrance way known as an Avenue. The Avenue had ditches and banks on either side just like the outer circle. Finally Stonehenge III, which is what still remains at the site today was constructed around 2000 BC. Originally 30 Sarsen stones were placed upright and construed in the form of a circle with each pair topped with stone lintel (horizontal capstone) however there are only 17 of these that still remain standing. These stones originated came from the Marlborough Downs, about 20 miles to the north from the site and weigh 50 tons each.The outside surfaces of the stones were pounded with hammers and dovetail joints were used to fasten the lintels to the uprights.
Although it is not certain on the reason why the site was built, it is thought, that due to the size it would have been a place of great importance and possibly worship. Some studies also shows that the site could have possible been a graveyard for a community of elite families as a British team recorded the discovery of ancient remains of 63 bodies that were buried around Stonehenge.
The site attracts 800,000 visitors per year, and several thousand who gather together on the summer solstice to watch the sunrise at this mystical and ancient site. However many of the stones that were originally placed there have fallen down or been removed by previous generations for constructions or repairs.
Studies suggest that the site was built through three different stages known as Stonehenge I, Stonehenge II and Stonehenge III. The construction of Stonehenge I, began thousands of years ago by the native Neolithic people of England. A large circular ditch that was 20 feet wide and 7 feet deep was built by the Neolithic people who used deer antlers as picks. They then used chalky rubble taken from the ditch to build a steep bank circle inside the outer circle. Inside the bank circle they dug out 56 shallow holes known as Aubrey holes. The Aubrey holes were built as post holes, dug to support wooden poles. To finish the construction of Stonehenge I two parallel stones were placed at the entrance to the circle however only one still remains standing and is known as the Slaughter Stone. This stone was believed to be used for human sacrifice however some archaeologists are sceptical on whether this belief is true. Stonehenge I is believed to have only been inhabited for about 500 years and was then abandoned by the native Neolithic people.
The construction of Stonehenge II began in 2100 BC and involves the process of assembling the bluestones that make up majority of the site. The bluestones originally came from the Preseli Mountains in South Wales, nearly 250 miles away. There 80 stones in total all weighing up to 4 tons each and although the method on how these rocks were transported is still unknown, archaeologists have presented some theories. An entrance way to the semicircle of bluestones that was aligned with the midsummer sunrise was also created. This alignment was continued by the clearing of a new entrance way known as an Avenue. The Avenue had ditches and banks on either side just like the outer circle. Finally Stonehenge III, which is what still remains at the site today was constructed around 2000 BC. Originally 30 Sarsen stones were placed upright and construed in the form of a circle with each pair topped with stone lintel (horizontal capstone) however there are only 17 of these that still remain standing. These stones originated came from the Marlborough Downs, about 20 miles to the north from the site and weigh 50 tons each.The outside surfaces of the stones were pounded with hammers and dovetail joints were used to fasten the lintels to the uprights.
Although it is not certain on the reason why the site was built, it is thought, that due to the size it would have been a place of great importance and possibly worship. Some studies also shows that the site could have possible been a graveyard for a community of elite families as a British team recorded the discovery of ancient remains of 63 bodies that were buried around Stonehenge.
The site attracts 800,000 visitors per year, and several thousand who gather together on the summer solstice to watch the sunrise at this mystical and ancient site. However many of the stones that were originally placed there have fallen down or been removed by previous generations for constructions or repairs.