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Stonehenge

✨ The circle of mystery

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in southern England. Its construction began about 5,000 years ago, during the Neolithic period, and the site was changed and rebuilt in several stages for more than 800 years. The earliest monument consisted mainly of a circular ditch and bank, followed by timber structures and later large stones. Around 2500 BC, builders created the stone arrangements that give Stonehenge its familiar appearance.

They used two main types of stone: large sarsens, mostly brought from the Marlborough Downs about 25 kilometres away, and smaller bluestones from the Preseli Hills in Wales, more than 200 kilometres from the site. Recent research has also shown that the Altar Stone, a large slab at the centre, came from north-east Scotland. Moving these stones required considerable planning, cooperation and physical effort, although archaeologists still debate exactly how they were transported.

Stonehenge had no single function that can be proved with certainty. Archaeological evidence suggests that it was a place for ceremonies and gatherings, and human remains show that burial practices were also part of its history. The arrangement of the stones is carefully connected with the movements of the Sun. Around the summer solstice, the sunrise aligns with the Heel Stone and the central monument; the winter solstice is marked by an alignment in the opposite direction.

These features indicate that observations of the Sun were important to the people who built and used the site, although Stonehenge should not simply be described as an ancient calendar. The monument was altered over many generations, reflecting changing beliefs and practices. Today, Stonehenge is one of Britain's best-known prehistoric sites and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes other monuments in the surrounding landscape.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that some of these giant stones come from mountains located over 200 kilometers away? At the time, people had neither cranes nor trucks! They had to transport them on wooden rollers or by boat along the coasts, which must have taken years of hard work. It's an incredible feat of strength for prehistoric men.

Stonehenge works like a giant sun clock. On the longest day of the year (summer solstice), the sun rises exactly in alignment with one of the main stones. This proves that ancient builders already knew stars and sky movement very well to predict seasonal changes.

Around the large stones, archaeologists discovered thousands of animal bones, showing that people came from very far to have great feasts. According to an old legend, it was the enchanter Merlin who flew the stones from Ireland to build this magic monument after a great battle!