Stonehenge. submitted by Jimit : Is this what the ancient builders intended the worshippers to see and be in awe of?
A (near) Midwinter's Day sunset. (Vote or comment on this photo)
Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument (or ‘henge’) of standing stones on Salisbury plain, dates from at least 5,000 years ago. About a hundred massive stone oblongs stand upright in a circular shape, some pairs of upright stones with smaller stones resting horizontally on top of them, and probably took its builders about 1,500 years to construct.
Stonehenge has been a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, and is a popular tourist destination. Almost a million people make the trip to see Stonehenge each year. In fact, Stonehenge gets so packed with tourists that some tourist websites even advise people to avoid it at all costs at busy times! But the historic site always captures people’s imagination, and the iconic image of those old stones has inspired everything from t-shirts to casino games.
Construction
Even today, erecting such enormous stones into formation would be a big project – so just imagine how difficult it must have been without any modern technology to make things easier. The relatively primitive civilization responsible for building the henge had not yet even discovered the wheel!
Timeline
Experts believe that construction of Stonehenge began at least 5,000 years ago. First, its builders created a huge circular or semicircular ditch. Second, as much as hundreds of years later, they somehow transported nearly 100 bluestones, which were not found in the area, to the location, and stood them securely up on their ends.
Finally, an additional ring or crescent was constructed around the first one, and some cross-pieces were added. This third stage of construction could have been completed as much as 1,000 years after building commenced. Even when this outer ring was completed, the vertical and horizontal stones were repositioned several times.
Reason
Archaeologists and historians agree that Stonehenge must have been important to the people who built it – otherwise, why would anyone go to so much trouble? – but there is surprisingly little certainty on this important question. Almost all the experts agree that Stonehenge was used as a burial site, but it probably also functioned as a site for performing religious ceremonies or a destination for pilgrims. It must also have had other functions that we can’t guess.
Stonehenge of the North
Although Stonehenge is the biggest, most famous, and historically most significant site, there is another site in North Yorkshire that also deserves recognition. Earlier this month, English Heritage assumed control of the site – described by Historic England as Stonehenge of the North, to distinguish it from the original Stonehenge – and opened it to the public. The three circular earthworks of this site were constructed between about 3500 and 2500 BC, and are both larger and better preserved than those of other henges.
Final Thoughts
If you like mingling with crowds and buying souvenirs, you won't be disappointed with Stonehenge. And if you are someone who appreciates the lure of prehistory, it might be worth your while. Try to arrive as early as possible in the morning, to beat the crowds – and for even more privacy, you can opt to walk back from viewing the site. But remember that there are many hundreds of other stone circles and other prehistoric sites to explore in England and Wales which might be an excellent alternative!
