The mystical alignment that lies on the Salisbury Plain is one of the world’s most mysterious sites of England. The monument that sits shrouded in mystery is the great megalith Stonehenge. This megalith was built between 3100-1100 BCE. ("Stonehenge Facts." Sacred Sites. Web. 21 Apr. 2015). Stonehenge is a massive monument with great big stones aligned in a perfect circle. The monument consists of two different types of stones, Sarsen and Bluestones. Bluestones themselves weigh about 4 tons and were brought to the Salisbury Plain from the Preseli Mountains in South Wales, about 250 miles away. Sarsen stones however can stand 18 feet tall and weigh about 25 tons, these stones were brought from Marlborough Downs which is located about 20 miles away. The …show more content…
These different phases took a period of over 1500 years to construct. (Wilde, Robert. "Stonehenge - A Profile of Stonehenge." Web. 21 Apr. 2015). Over the millenniums some of the great monuments’ stones were lost to decay, builders and some tourists actually chipped some of the stones. There have been hundreds of thousands of archaeologists that have tried to pinpoint the reason why the structure was created but the lack of sources does not allow them to do this. Some think the site was built for ritual purposes but what rituals are unknown. The first phase was constructed during the Neolithic period. This obviously is the oldest phase, occurring around 3100 years ago and was carried out by the Windmill Hill culture. These people built a henge and a circular ditch around the monument. Inside the ditch were fifty-six holes with cremated remains found inside of them. The purpose of these holes is unknown. In the next few centuries wooden structures were also added. The purpose of these wooden structures is also unknown. The most confusing and controversial phase is definitely phase 2. (Wilde,
Let us begin by going back to a time before the Great Wall, The Great Pyramids, and even Stonehenge. A time that could not even fathom the thought of metal tools and tall buildings. This time is the Neolithic period between 3180-2500 BCE and the location is the west coast of the mainland of Orkney in Scotland. There you will find the ancient ruins of Skara Brae. During the winter of 1850 a massive storm hit the coast of Orkney. A combination of fierce winds and high tides stipped the top layer of soil from the ground to reveal the outline of an old building. Intrigued by the outlines the local laird, William Watt of Skill, started excavating the site too see what he could find. In 1868 the site was abandoned for unknown reasons and in later
The Parthenon, built around 490 BCE, was one of the most explicit structures created in the Classical Era. Made from marble, it measures roughly 228 feet long and 100 feet wide, huge in comparison to the Pantheon which is located in Rome. The Parthenon was constructed and dedicated to the goddess Athena, while the Pantheon
Stonehenge catches my attention because of the mystery that it has to it. All the theories about how it was built, why it was built, and for who it was built have not been proven to this day. And that’s what catches my attention the most, the mystery of how this primitive people were able to move this big stones from such far distance, and how they were able to aligned them almost perfectly for an unknown purpose.
The Stonehenge is one of the great seven wonders around of the world. For decades, archaeologists are puzzled by this unique structure. They ask questions like what was its purpose, how was it built and by whom. Archaeologists believe it was built around 3000 BC to 2000 BC. Stonehenge holds many mysteries and theories that brought many tourists to visit over the years. Many stories have been told due to these mysteries and theories. Stonehenge is a complicated ancient megalithic whose complexity involves not only its construction but also a calendar for archaeologist. Numerous investigation has gone into discovering those theories on Stonehenge. Stonehenge is located in Wiltshire, England. One theory suggested that it was a places of burial
The Stonehenge is a distinctive monumental stone that appeared in the late Neolithic period. It is located in Salisbury, White shire, England. The artifact is believed to have been built between 3000 and 1500 BCE. The artifact has artificially shaped stones arranged in a post and lintel
No place has generated so much speculation and wild theories as the standing stones of Stonehenge. After traveling for miles through the rolling hills and plains of the English countryside the sight of this unusual structure made me gasp. A walk around it only provoked more strange feelings. There's a sense that this is something very important. For over 5000 years it has stood silent vigil over the
Although Stonehenge and the Pyramids are both marvels of the ancient world, the differ from each other in many ways. While the construction for both began around the same time period – construction for Stonehenge began around 3100 BCE (Dr. Senta German) while the pyramids began around 2580 BCE (The Great Pyramid of Giza) – the time spent building Stonehenge far exceeded the time spent building the Pyramids. Unlike the Pyramids, Stonehenge was built in three phases. The first phase of construction began “when a great circular ditch about six feet deep was dug with a bank of dirt within it about 360 feet in diameter, with a large entrance to the northeast and a smaller one to the south” (Dr. Senta German). Within this ditch, known as a henge, were 56 pits, known as Aubrey holes filled with either upright bluestones or upright wooden beams, whose original purpose is unknown. The second phase began approximately 100-200 years later and involved a circle of upright wooden posts in the center of this henge. More upright posts were also erected near the northeast and southern entrances. During this phase, the site of Stonehenge was used for burials; “at least 25 of the Aubrey holes were emptied and reused to hold cremation burials and another 30 cremation burial pits were dug into the ditch of the henge and in the eastern portion within the henge enclosure” (Dr. Senta German). During the third and final stage, occurring 400-500 years later, Stonehenge was completely remodeled. The central wooden beams from stage two
England was formed by multiple invasions and immigrants from many different countries. Some of these include the Romans, Vikings, Anglos-Saxons and Celts. England was established as an country in 1536, but has an ancient history dating back to more than 800,000 years. England is known for its prehistoric monument in Wiltshire called Stonehenge. Stonehenge is a ring of standing stones that are believed to be built between 3000BC -2000BC of the Neolithic and Bronze Age. In 43 AD the Roman Empire began to invade and conquer England. The Romans ruled over England until the 5th century. The Romans built about 10,000 miles of road during their 400 year reign. After the end of the Roman rule came the people known as the Anglo-Saxons. They established many kingdoms and introduced the Old English Language. Vikings also began to invade and settle into England after 800 AD. During this time the
The oldest part of Stonehenge, called Stonehenge I (constructed ca. 3100 BCE), consists of little more than a circular ditch dug in the soil of the Salisbury plain, with the excess soil piled up to make an embankment approximately six feet tall. This area is approximately three hundred thirty feet in diameter, and encompasses “Stonehenge proper” – the familiar circles of massive stones that once stood
Located in Wiltshire England, Stonehenge is a World Heritage site consisting of 4,500 year-old stones with some reaching heights up to 4.5m (15ft). Ever since the Middle Ages, the site has been one of the greatest mysteries in Europe being subject to multiple speculations and theories.
Over a span of 2,000 years, monuments have been added to Stonehenge. While most are buried today, they are still visible and well preserved. Stonehenge’s features include the Aubrey Holes, 350 burial mounds, Cursus, Woodhenge, Durrington Walls Henge, Stonehenge Avenue, and West Amesbury Henge. The Aubrey Holes were the first monuments in Stonehenge, built around 3,000 BCE. The Aubrey Holes were 56 pits inside of a circular enclosure formed by a bank and a ditch. Its main purpose was to store cremated ashes of dead bodies. After the Aubrey Holes were made, bluestones and sarsens were dragged from long distances to construct the circular stone monument. The 350 burial mounds were long barrows meant to cremate and bury the dead. The Cursus, built from 3600 to 3400 BCE, were two long earthwork enclosures. Both Woodhenge and Durrington Walls Henge were timber circle monuments built in 2,300 and 2,500 BCE, respectively. Stonehenge Avenue was an ancient road that lead to Stonehenge monument and was built from 2,500 to 1,700 BCE. Finally, West Amesbury Henge was a stone circle monument built in 2,400
Stonehenge, assumed to be finished in 1500 B.C., is one of the most iconic architectural structures in the history of the world. Built in the Stone age, this monumental structure was advanced for its time. It was assumed to be a burial site for the Aristocrats of the time.
The Stonehenge placement was in Salisbury Plain, not far from the town of Amesbury, Wiltshire. The work of art was made up of various things including earth, timber, and stone structures. This work of art was remodeled and revised over more than 1400 years. In order to build the master piece, it had to be done in phases. Phase I is where the beginning of the construction started. They made a large circle that was surrounded by ditch then following a bank going inwards to the 56 Aubrey holes that would hold wooden posts, Phase II, the Aubrey holes eventually didn’t hold post but they became filled, some with cremation deposits. Phase III, consisted of adding the stone structure which were called the Bluestones that were placed in Q and R holes, the Sarsen Circle was made with trilithons
Stonehenge, erected around 2500-1600 B.C.E. by tens of thousands of labor workers, represents the peaceful coming together of east and west Britain. It is thought to be a cultural, spiritual, historical, and a sacrificial center. Many experts believe Stonehenge may have also been a burial site for the elite. Located in Wiltshire, United Kingdom, it is believed that 3 separate tribes are responsible from building what is known as Stonehenge. The Windmill people around 2500 B.C.E., the Beaker people around 2000 B.C.E., and the Wessex people around 1600 B.C.E. Today, Stonehenge is the most famous megalithic site in the world, attracting more than 800,000 visitors. Stonehenge uses color, material, and shape, as well as pattern, balance, and emphasis, in order
Stonehenge was a stone structure established a long time ago by civilizations before the Druid age. More than 4,000 years ago, the people of the Neolithic period supposedly decided to build a massive monument using earth, timber and eventually, stones.They placed it high on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England about 137 kilometres southwest of London. The purpose to build Stonehenge still remains a mystery. Stonehenge could have been a temple, an astronomical calendar, or a guide to the heavens. Stonehenge acts as a prehistoric timepiece, allowing us to speculate on what it would have been like during the Neolithic Period, and who could have built this megalithic wonder.