A Brief History Of Stonehenge

Prehistoric Neolithic Monument

In the midst of the ever-present surrounding fields, on the desolate plains of Salisbury, in Wiltshire, England, a prehistoric Neolithic monument stands majestically, which is shrouded in mysteries that continue to baffle the world. The monument's great stones have prevailed against the ravages of eternal seasons that have spanned the ages. It is a monument that bears witness to the many changing faces of the expansive landscapes that encompass it, and in addition, Stonehenge is the venerated custodian of ancient secrets that have stood the test of time. Moreover, it has become the inspiration for many historians as well as authors who have created legendary tales, which were passed down over many centuries.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric Neolithic or New Stone Age (the latter Stone Age period) monument which was built about 3,100 BC. Modern historians and archaeologists continue their unrelenting pursuit for answers as to why, how, and who built Stonehenge, as they passionately debate the many theories put forward over the centuries, in the hope of finally solving the haunting mysteries surrounding the best-known ancient monument in Europe. Although the precise age of Stonehenge is not clear, there is a consensus amongst modern scientists who have concluded from their extensive research that the entire construction of Stonehenge was built in several phases over 1,500 years. The first phase began from roughly 3,100 BC, while the final stages of development occurred between 1,600 BC - 1,500 BC. Prehistoric refers to an undocumented age, which means the society that orchestrated the Stonehenge structure did not leave any recorded information about how they built Stonehenge, the purpose of Stonehenge, or any written account about their culture.

The First Development Phase

The term ‘Stonehenge’ is derived from Old English 'Stan' meaning 'Stone field', and the term 'henge' refers to a particular type of Neolithic earth structure, which consisted of a circular enclosed bank with an internal circular ditch. However, it may be worth noting that Stonehenge is recorded as having an external circular ditch, and not an internal circular ditch. Historians claim that the first development phase of Stonehenge was built roughly 3,100 BC, and initially it consisted of a circular earthwork bank and a ditch enclosure with a diameter of approximately 360 feet, plus a large entrance to the northeast and an additional smaller entrance to the south. The entire Stonehenge site is situated on a slightly sloping, large open field, and within the inner section of the innermost enclosed circle, there are 56 pits, which are situated forming an entire circle, spaced at regular intervals, and each individual pit is about 3.3 feet in diameter. The pits are known as the Aubrey pits, named after the renowned 17th-century English antiquarian John Aubrey (born 1626 - died 1697), who discovered them in the 17th century. Another well-known early research contributor to Stonehenge was the 18th-century English physician and antiquarian William Stukeley (born 1687 - died 1765), who wrote extensively about Stonehenge, and he also conducted detailed research of the entire Stonehenge site.

The Ambitious Phase

Scientists have estimated that the 'Ambitious phase' of the construction of Stonehenge spanned (2,400 BC - 2,600 BC). This particular phase of construction development consisted of two concentric circles of great stones, which were built from within the centre of the site. The much larger surrounding circle of sarsen stones had formed a complete circle around the inner horseshoe-shaped structure of blue stones. The open-ended section of the horseshoe-shaped structure of stones was built facing and parallel with the northeast entrance to Stonehenge. However, due to inconclusive evidence obtained from the Stonehenge site, modern archaeologists remain uncertain regarding the total original quantity of upright stones, which may have been used to build the entire Stonehenge monument throughout all of its construction phases. Furthermore, there is some uncertainty regarding the dates associated with the instalments for each of the great stones. From extensive and detailed scientific research on various particles found beneath the earth around the grounds of the site, archaeologists have considered several theories, such as the possibility of a timber construction as the original Stonehenge upright foundation, which later may have been upgraded to a stone monument. Another interesting theory that was considered is the possibility that blue stones could have been used as markers for the Aubrey pits. The significance of this theory is that Stonehenge may have been founded with a stone structure 500 years earlier than the official estimated date.

The Great Stones

According to historians, the primary building element for Stonehenge was sarsen stones, which were found in southern England. It is thought that the original structure may have contained a total of 85 sarsen stones, of which there remains 53 stones. The outer megalithic enclosure consisted of a circle with a diameter of 108 feet, which was constructed with sarsen stones (silicified sandstones). A total of 60 large sarsen stones were utilized to complete the outer circle, including 30 upright stones and 30 lintel stones. Lintel stones are those that are placed horizontally, along the top of the upright vertical standing stones. The average height of each stone for the outer circle was 13 feet, the average weight of each was about 25 tons, and the average width of each was 6.9 feet, while the distance between each one was approximately 3.3 feet.

The megalithic (large stones) inner horseshoe-shaped enclosure was constructed with bluestones (igneous, subvolcanic rock). A total of 15 bluestones were used for the construction of the trilithon horseshoe-shaped enclosure, which has a diameter of 45 feet. Trilithons consist of two vertical upright stones with a third horizontal stone lying across the top of the two upright stones, and these stand as a separate unit from the other stones. Some academics have proposed the possibility that sandstones may well have been the original instalments for the construction of the inner horseshoe-shaped circle, and then later replaced with blue stones. The trilithons consisted of the largest stones, some weighing up to 50 tons each, and their individual heights ranged from 20 feet to almost 25 feet each. The great stones that formed the circles were connected by sophisticated tongue and groove joints, plus mortise and tenon joints. The other monolithic stones that inspire great interest are the Neolithic Altar Stone, the Heel Stone, the Portal Stones, and the Station Stones. These particular stones are situated at various locations around the site but are not part of the original inner circles. The aforementioned were all part of a sophisticated architecture that is beyond the scope of this article. Although there is no doubt amongst scholars as to the significance of each stone in relation to the overall design of Stonehenge, nevertheless, historians and scientists still express uncertainty about the original numbers of those stones and their purpose due to insufficient evidence.

Blick Mead Spring

Vespasian's Camp is an Iron Age hill fort, situated approximately 2 miles from Stonehenge, Amesbury, Wiltshire, England. It is known to be one of the major attractions when visiting Stonehenge. Another famous attraction is Blick Mead spring, in Wiltshire, situated about a mile from Stonehenge. From the northeast entrance to Stonehenge, there is a man-made pathway called 'Stonehenge Avenue' with parallel ditches and banks along either side, and it is about 2 miles until it reaches the River Avon, also known as the Salisbury Avon (the ancient Celtic word for river was Avon). It is believed that the River Avon, in Wiltshire, was a popular venue for people well before the construction of Stonehenge, and one important reason for this keen interest is that the River Avon is one of the most prolific waters containing various species of marine life within Britain, also, it is surrounded by a wealth of picturesque landscapes. In addition, historians have concluded that Stonehenge Avenue could have been built partly for the purpose of religious processions, which were possibly connected to pagan rituals via Stonehenge to the River Avon and vice versa. Blick Mead is said to be a chalk spring, which never freezes and has a constant temperature of about 11 °C. Also, within Blick Mead spring, there is known to be a rare aquatic algae plant called Hildenbrandia, which transforms any stones obtained from the spring into a bright red colour, once exposed to the air. Thousands of years ago, this phenomenon could have been viewed as a supernatural event by the local community. Moreover, at that time in history, Blick Mead spring most probably provided a constant supply of rich seafood and pure fresh drinking water for local communities, which are two very good incentives to build Stonehenge within that proximity. Nevertheless, many modern scholars and archaeologists are convinced that there were more important reasons for building Stonehenge at that location, and yet this mystery remains eternally elusive to everyone concerned.

The Heel Stone

The monolithic Heel Stone is situated within Stonehenge Avenue directly standing a short distance outside the northeast entrance to Stonehenge. It is 4.7 meters tall, has a minimum thickness of 2.4 meters, and a weight of approximately 35 tons. The Heel Stone's top section tapers off into a sort of peak, giving it an overall appearance similar to a sphere, only it is infested with numerous sporadic and uneven cavity markings across its sections. The Heel Stone's eaten away mauled condition, could well be attributed to the ravages of the vicious storms, harsh winds, torrential rains, and other debilitating elements brought by the seasons over the eras. This particular monolithic stone is the subject of several chilling supernatural stories, which have been reiterated down the centuries to explain its origin and purpose. From the centre of the site, the open section of the horse shoe encloser, directly faces and is in perfect alinement with the northeast entrance, which was ideally designed to capture the glory of the winter and summer solstice, as emitted by the spectacular projection of the sun, and as it ascends and descends the apex of the well-positioned, but rather hideous looking Heel Stone. And when the pitch of night falls across the land, the spine-tingling vision of the Heel Stone stands waiting like a dark and menacing, looming creature of doom, just a short distance outside the open northeast entrance of Stonehenge.

Prehistoric Cremation Cemetery Monument

Archaeologists claim to have discovered bones of oxen, deer, and flint tools, buried at various points within Stonehenge that date to the first century of the Stonehenge creation. In addition, cremated human bones were found buried at various locations beneath the grounds of Stonehenge, and within some of the Audrey pits, which date from about 3,000 BC. It is believed that this practice had continued for at least 500 years from the date the cremated bones were discovered. Also, Stonehenge is (arguably) the earliest and largest known prehistoric cremation cemetery monument within the British Isles. Scientists employed a method called Radiocarbon dating, also known as carbon-14 dating, in order to establish the age of bones, wood, soil elements, stones, or any object containing organic material. This scientific technique was pioneered by the famous American, Willard Frank Libby, who practiced physical chemistry. Frank Libby was given recognition for his substantial contribution in respect to the 1949 development of carbon dating. This pioneering methodology was seen as a great scientific breakthrough and proved to revolutionise the science of archaeology and palaeontology.

The Mysteries Of Stonehenge

Stonehenge was primarily built with a variety of silicified sandstones, which are found in and around the surrounding areas of Wiltshire. However, the inner trilithon horseshoe circle is built with bluestones, which are igneous volcanic rocks, found in the Preseli Hills in Wales, which is a distance of between 140 to 150 miles from Stonehenge. One of the great mysteries of Stonehenge is how the precise number of bluestones which was used to build a section of the Stonehenge monument arrived in Wiltshire. Scientists have considered two logical theories; the first is that the bluestones were brought to the site across the Irish Sea, by way of glacially deposited rocks. However, thus far, scientists have not been able to find conclusive evidence to support this theory. The other extremely scrutinized theory is the possibility that the stones arrived by a particular type of transportation framework, which was assisted by humans or possibly horses and humans, but considering the great distance to travel, the dense troublesome forests to wade through, harsh unpredictable weather conditions, and dangerous wild creatures that existed in that era, most historians and archaeologists agree that if this trek had been successful, then it would have been a truly remarkable human achievement.

Although the wheel was invented approximately 3,500 BC - 4,000 BC, many historians and archaeologists dismiss the possibility of the invention of the wheel in Britain before the construction of Stonehenge. Furthermore, scientists discount the idea of the wheel as part of a carriage or framework, which may have been used to transport the bluestones from the Preseli Hills in Wales to Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain. If by remote possibility the wheel was in use at that particular time in ancient England, it would most probably have been in the very early stages of development, and certainly not advanced enough to withstand the combination of enormous weight placed upon it and the exceptional challenges which existed across the vast distance of the journey from the Preseli Hills in Wales to Salisbury Plain, in England. The alternative consideration, which some scholars have seriously debated over many generations, relates to supernatural means.

The bluestones in question weighed over 20 tons each, while some had individual lengths of between 24 to 25 feet each. In the era of paganism with various hostile tribes jealously guarding their territories, and when faced with the possibility of confronting wild boars, wolfs, bears, eurasian lynxes or other wild and dangerous creatures that existed during that era in England, the journey to transport the stones from whales would have been extremely gruelling, perilous, and painstakingly slow for those men assigned to the unenviable task. There is also the daunting prospect of traveling through dense forests, felling troublesome trees and dense bushes, to create pathways through uneven and treacherous terrain, not to mention the unpredictable and sometimes destructive weather. All things considered, most scientists have concluded that it would have been an astonishing human accomplishment if the bluestones had been successfully transported between approximately 140 - 180 miles from the Preseli Hills, in Wales, to Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, in England.

Bluestones

Bluestones are said to possess acoustic and healing properties. The stones are known to emit a natural magnetic field, which is believed to connect with the chakra or energy points within the human body. Although many archaeologists believe that Stonehenge was partly used as a sacred burial and healing location, as well as an astronomical site, still, many remain discontent with these reasons alone as an explanation for the Stonehenge monument. The question of why and how Stonehenge was built, as well as the chosen location, remains a great mystery, even after many generations of intense investigations by scientists and scholars. There was once a popular belief that Druids built Stonehenge, and this idea was originally proposed by the 17th-century antiquarian John Aubrey. But modern scientists state that researche indicates that the Celtic society who created the Druid priesthood, actually came into existence after the construction of Stonehenge.

The architecture of the Stonehenge monument indicates a level of sophistication that is well in advance of the era in which it was built. Stonehenge is described as a masterpiece of engineering architecture, supposedly designed and constructed using only simple tools, before the arrival of metals and the invention of the wheel, in Britain. Nevertheless, many scientists agree that the technology that was used for the creation of Stonehenge is still uncertain. Stonehenge is a monument created by a mysterious society that placed great importance and significance upon the megalithic stones that they utilized for the construction. The superhuman effort and dedication displayed by the ancient innovators and designers of Stonehenge implies a deeply revered political and religious belief system, yet despite great extensive research on the subject over many generations, modern scientists still debate and remain completely perplexed as to what were that society's established cultures, religious beliefs, political ideologies, and ultimately what their true motives were for creating the Stonehenge monument, which is said to be an enduring legacy that remains one of the great mysteries of this world.

Written by Star_gazer

Published 11 September 2020