What is Stonehenge?
Location: Wiltshire, England
Period: Neolithic and Bronze Age (approx. 3000 BCE to 2000 BCE)
Structure: A prehistoric monument consisting of a ring of standing stones, each around 13 feet high, seven feet wide, and weighing approximately 25 tons.
History and Construction
Phases of Construction: The monument was built in several stages. The earliest phase involved a circular ditch and bank with 56 pits, known as Aubrey holes. Later phases saw the erection of the large sarsen stones and smaller bluestones.
Transportation of Stones: The stones were transported from considerable distances. The bluestones are believed to have come from the Preseli Hills in Wales, about 150 miles away, while the larger sarsen stones are thought to have been brought from the Marlborough Downs, 20 miles north.
Purpose and Significance
Theories: The exact purpose remains unclear, but theories include its use as an astronomical observatory, a religious site, or a place of healing.
Alignment: The monument is aligned with the sunrise on the summer solstice and the sunset on the winter solstice, suggesting an astronomical or ritual significance.
Preservation and Tourism
World Heritage Site: Stonehenge is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as "Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites."
Visitor Experience: Managed by English Heritage, it attracts over a million visitors annually, offering exhibitions, guided tours, and a visitor center.
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