Stonehenge is one of the most famous and mysterious sites in the world. It stands in the rolling hills of Wiltshire, England, a circle of stones standing tall in the landscape. For centuries, people have been fascinated by this mysterious structure and its purpose. What was Stonehenge used for? Who built it, and why? The mystery of Stonehenge remains unsolved.
The first written records of the structure date back to the 12th century, where it was referred to as a “wonder of the world”. The modern name of Stonehenge is derived from the Old English word “henge”, which means “hanging stones”. The stones are believed to be between 4,500-5,000 years old, making them some of the oldest structures in the world.
The structure consists of two main sections: a circle of stones and a small inner circle. The stones are made of a type of limestone called sarsen and come from the Marlborough Downs, about 20 miles away. The stones are thought to have been brought to their current location by rolling them on logs. It is believed that the stones were put in place around 2500 B.C.
Archaeologists have speculated about the purpose of Stonehenge for centuries. Theories range from being a temple for sun worship, to a burial site, to a place of healing, to a monument to celebrate a victory. Some believe that it was dedicated to the dead, while others believe that it was an astronomical observatory used to track the movements of the sun and the stars.
Stonehenge is aligned to the movements of the sun and the moon. This alignment could indicate that the site was used for astronomical purposes. There are other signs that point to its possible spiritual use, such as the large number of burial mounds around the site and the presence of a spring nearby.
Unfortunately, despite its age and the amount of research that has been done, the mystery of Stonehenge remains unsolved. Some believe that the site was built by a lost civilization, while others think it was built by aliens. The truth is that we may never know the exact purpose of Stonehenge. What we do know is that it is an awe-inspiring structure that has captivated people for centuries.
