Stonehenge is one ofthe world’s most famous prehistoric monuments. It is situated in Wiltshire, England, on the Salisbury Plain. Its giant protruding rocks can be seen from miles away, making it a very curious site for tourists from all over the world. Nearly one million people visit this UNESCO World Heritage site every year.
Why Was The Stonehenge Built?
There are several theories surrounding this question. Somepeople believe that it was built to study the direction of the sun and moon, while others claim it was constructed as a healing center. Experts also claim that it may have been used for funerals. The exact purpose is unknown, with a lot of speculation around it.
Who Built The Stonehenge?
It was once believed that Stonehenge was built by magic. However, later in the 17th century, archaeologist William Stukeley discovered a series of primitive graves at the site. This excavation led him to believe that the British Druids had built the Stonehenge, priests of the early Celtic tribe.
In the 1950s, this theory was proven wrong, as carbon analysis at the burial site showed that Stonehenge was built about 4000 years prior to the advent of the Druids. The human remains dating back to 400 BC. This showed that Stonehenge was in fact constructed by the stoneage man.
The Construction of the Stonehenge
The Stonehenge was built in phases. It is best described as a circular formation of over 160 gigantic stones, each of which weighs between the range of 4-37 tons. There are primarily two types of stones used in its construction, the larger sarsen stones and the smaller bluestones. Recent studies shed light on the different stoneworking methods employed to create this fascinating structure.
Conclusion
The distinctive and mysterious looking Stonehenge now is alandmark of the British landscape and serves as the symbol of British history. In 1986, it was declared a World Heritage Site.
About theAuthor: Amita Vadlamudi hadworked in the Information Technology industry starting in the mid seventies. After retiring from work Amita Vadlamudi now spends her time reading and blogging about various subjects.
