Stonehenge

While Stonehenge is one of the most widely recognizable features in the world, its origins remain shrouded in mystery.  Only through thorough insight and excavation can we begin to piece together the purpose of this monument.

According to an article by Owen Jarus found on livescience.com, the Salisbury Plain upon which Stonehenge lies may have been considered sacred long before Stonehenge was erected.  Wooden totem poles have been found dating back ten thousand years– more than five thousand years before Stonehenge first appeared.  Researchers are not certain about the factors that drew early people to the area, but the large number of animal bones present at the site suggests that the plains were rich hunting grounds.

The larger stones which make up Stonehenge are thought to have been brought from Marlborough Downs, which is twenty miles north of the site.  The smaller stones, called bluestones, are an altogether different story.  These stones are abundant in western Wales, so how they reached Stonehenge is still a mystery.  Some researches believe that water transport may have been used, but this is not a widely held view.  Many others think that glaciers may be responsible for the migration of these rocks.

Several burial mounds also surround the site, which suggests practices of a ritualistic manner were commonplace around Stonehenge.  Such practices may have led to the long-term development of the Salisbury Plains, which continued for thousands of years.  Many shrines, mounds, and monuments similar to Stonehenge have been found, allowing researchers to construct a loose timeline for the area.  Stonehenge was not just constructed and then abandoned– people occupied the area long before and after its creation.

Stonehenge itself was not a one time creation.  It’s modern day appearance is the result of several additions, which were all completed at different times.  Up until about four thousand years ago, Stonehenge was changing constantly.  After this, Stonehenge was neglected and abandoned, and even some its stones were removed for other uses.

Perhaps what I found most interesting, though, is the possible connection Stonehenge could have with astronomy.  Several of the Cursus monuments which surround the site are aligned with the the sunrise and sunset during the summer solstice.  The reason for this peculiar placement is unknown, but it may provide some future insight into the lives of the people who managed to construct such an impressive monument.  The construction of Stonehenge is thought to be an act of unification, which brought the people of early Britain together to achieve one common goal.

 

Here’s the article: http://www.livescience.com/22427-stonehenge-facts.html