Stonehenge Historical Facts and Pictures

Located in Wiltshire, England, Stonehenge is a prehistoric enigmatic monument. The site is set in the middle of the densest complex of Bronze and Neolithic Age monuments in England along with 700 burial mounds. This world famous chalky plain is a remnant of standing stones. Although the purpose of its creation is unknown, archaeological surveys suggest that it was probably a burial ground.

Stonehenge

Structure and Construction

It was believed by the archaeologists that Stonehenge was built around 3000 and 2000 BC, but the radiocarbon dating implies that the earliest stones were situated in between 2400 and 2200 BC. The encircling earth bank and ditch constituting the initial phase of the monument is dated back to 3000 BC. In 1986 the site along with its surroundings were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stonehenge Pictures

Measuring about 360 ft. in diameter the first monument comprises of a spherical bank and ditch enclosure, built of late cretaceous seaford chalk. The evidence of the 2nd phase is no longer available although a number of 3rd millennium BC postholes indicate that, some sort of timber structure were established within the enclosure.

Stonehenge Images

After many excavations, archaeologists have suggested that, around 2600 BC, the builders preferred the stone structure and discarded the timber form and dug two concentric groups of holes in the middle of the site. The new structure consists of a succession of sarsen stones built in the shape of a horseshoe, with each pair containing a stone lintel connecting them.

Stonehenge Cloudy Sunset

Sunrise Over Stonehenge

Legends, Folklores and Mysteries

The stones situated within the site have been part of many tales and legends in the past, such as the Heel Stone, also known as the Friar’s Heel, lying on the northeast of sarsen circle, has been claimed to be a symbol of corruption from Freyja, the Germanic goddess.

Stonehenge Photos

Again, the stones were described as healing stones by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his work Historia Regam Britanniae.

Ariel View Image for Stonehenge

Stonehenge form Ariel View

The site conceals many mysteries, as the details and purpose of its creation are still ambiguous. A lot of constructions within the site are believed to be extra terrestrial, especially the Crop Circles, and many people have suggested that, the site was built by the aliens long ago.