We
described what you will actually see at Stonehenge on our What
is Stonehenge? page. On this page we look at arguably the more
interesting aspect of Stonehenge, what was it used for and look at
some of the many mysteries of Stonehenge.
The Neolithic age in which Stonehenge was built is so long ago that
firm, factual information is sparse. As a result there is no shortage
of conflicting dates and views about Stonehenge
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Stonehenge |
Nearly
every year, even respected archaeologists will put forward papers
suggesting dates need to be adjusted and our assumptions about Stonehenge
changed. Just pick up a few books on Stonehenge in the gift shop and
even fundamental dates will differ markedly from one book to another.
When you visit Stonehenge the 'official line' taken by English Heritage
follows closely the theories put forward by archaeologists. There
are fundamentally three strands of theories about Stonehenge of how
and why it was built.
The Archaeologists viewpoint is based on observation, digs
in and around Stonehenge, carbon dating and conclusions at other Neolithic
sites all around the British Isles.
The Archaeoastronomers viewpoint stems from the fact that nearly
all the stones at Stonehenge are precisely sited and correlate to
significant events of the planets orbit like solstices. A suggestion
that Stonehenge is perhaps a place where ancient astronomy took place,
perhaps part driven by the need to predict agricultural seasons.
The New Age viewpoint is a loose term we have used to summarise
a spiritual input. Religion for want of a better term in Neolithic
times had similarities to pagan religions nowadays. The concept of
Mother Earth and Father the Sun overlap to some extent with the Archaeoastronomers
viewpoint, the concept of 'energies' and the siting of Stonehenge
at the intersection of many Ley Lines also follow a back to nature
theme.
Today the Druid religion uses Stonehenge as a key religious monument,
(though druidism itself wasn't around at the time of the Neolithics). |
Building
Of Stonehenge Mysteries
One of the major mysteries of Stonehenge was how it was built.
The first stones, the bluestones were sourced from the only place
in the UK where such stone exists. In Wales, nearly 200 hundred miles
away.
The common theory is that these stones were transported largely by
water to within a couple of miles of Stonehenge. However no body has
even today successfully re-enacted this feat or found any evidence
along the way to support this. Other theories include the stones being
moved to Stonehenge by glaciers.
The larger stones the Sarsen Stones came from only about 20 miles
away, but again with no modern machinery and before the wheel how
did they transport these stones through the undulating countryside.
The common theory is that they were rolled along on top of tree trunks.
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Socket
In Horizontal 'Arch' Stone
Into Which Upright Stone Fitted |
Stand
next to one of the big Sarsen Stones and you begin to understand what
a task this would be even today. What is clear is that large amounts
of manpower would have been required and organised and leaders over
many generations must have been able to inspire the masses into the
concepts and beliefs that drove them to attempt such a monument.
Stonehenge itself is put together like woodwork. Joints and sockets
have been carved into the stone so each stone fits into each other
precisely. Stonehenge is unique in that it has horizontal stones to
form arches. These horizontal stones have been engineered so they
were flat, on a sloping site. Stonehenge is also unique in that the
stones have been shaped into flat sided blocks. Without metal, it
would have been very labour intensive to shape these vast stones using
stone on stone.
Erecting the stones also would have been problematic without modern
aids. Ditches would have been dug into which the stones would be sited.
The most common theory is that large earthen ramps would have been
erected and the stones toppled over the top into their prepared holes
and somehow pulled vertical, perhaps with primitive A frames for leverage |
What
Was Stonehenge Used For
?
There is no shortage of theories, but nobody knows for sure what Stonehenge
was used for. For sure it has something to do with death, just look
around the Stonehenge landscape and see the burial mounds. The evidence
is that this is a sacred area, people lived away from the site.
The existence of a ceremonial route up to Stonehenge suggests an organised
procession where some kind of ritual took place within the inner sanctum
of Stonehenge by the Alter Stone. The fact that Stonehenge had banks
6 foot high surrounding it precluding viewing into it raises the spectre
that perhaps only the highest echelon were part of the ceremony.
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The
current archaeologists viewpoint is that Stonehenge was used for
something similar to a current day memorial service. They say that
a celebration took place in Durrington Walls a couple of miles from
Stonehenge where another henge, Woodhenge is located.
They theorise that a pre service took place at Woodhenge and then
the people proceeded for a final service at Stonehenge.
Its also clear that astronomy had something to do with Stonehenge,
its just too much of a coincidence the siting of the stones. The
pure theory that Stonehenge was all to do with astronomy, the private
fiefdom of a 'priest' like figure or group that studied astronomy
to predict the seasons for agriculture is largely discredited. Similar
peoples across the water in what is now Europe were perfectly able
to successfully farm without the use of such structures and there
is evidence there was trade/contacts between the two. A common view
is that the timings of the ceremonies was all important and this
is the only astronomical significance.
There is also evidence that Stonehenge and Durrington Walls was
a place of pilgrimage. What is clear is that people travelled some
way to Stonehenge. A skeleton found when studied was from a person
originating from what is Switzerland today for example. The bluestones
first brought to Stonehenge were thought by some ancient societies
to have healing properties. Some human remains found show evidence
of significant injuries to those attending. So one theory is that
Stonehenge was thought to be a place of pilgrimage where miracles
of healing may take place.
The religious aspect also has to be accounted for and logically
is the key to understanding what went on at Stonehenge. Unfortunately
we will never know for sure the detail of what they believed. Today,
Stonehenge is used by pagan religions which have some similarities.
Druids often use Stonehenge for formal ceremonies, normally long
before the tourists arrive.
Nobody knows for sure whet Stonehenge was used for, that's part
of the appeal and fun of visiting Stonehenge. Just come to your
own personal conclusions.
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