Stonehenge: A Prehistoric Marvel

Stonehenge is a prehistoric marvel. This stone circle rises out of Salisbury Plain, its rugged stones complemented by a swish visitor center that explores its incredible construction. However, Stonehenge is not merely a 4000-year-old monument; it swirls with ancient myths and modern controversy, standing as a symbol of England from long before England even existed, and one of the world’s great mysteries.

In this article, we explore its features, history, and how to get the most out of your visit.

What is Stonehenge?

Set in Wiltshire, Southwest England, Stonehenge was built in stages between approximately 3000 and 2000 BCE, and tweaks to its layout continued until 1500 BCE. Its massive stones were transported from as far away as Wales, forming a place of ritual for many centuries.

People have long pondered its origins. Myths associate it with giants and human sacrifice. Stonehenge has been sold at auction, hosted New Age parties, and now welcomes more than a million visitors each year, who come to gaze at its weathered, evocative stones and learn about the ancient people who went to extraordinary lengths to erect it and numerous nearby monuments.

Special Features of Stonehenge

The Stone Circles

Stonehenge consists of granite “bluestones” and larger sarsen (a kind of sandstone) blocks. Each sarsen stone is approximately 4m tall and 2m wide, weighing 25–30 metric tons, while even the smaller bluestone pillars weigh several tons. They form two circles, and several of the standing stones are topped with long lintel stones, forming arches called trilithons. A horseshoe of stones lies between the two circles, and at the center is the prominent Altar Stone. Although several standing stones and lintels are missing, enough remains to provide a clear sense of what once stood.

The Ritual Landscape

This central area was only one part of a wider ritual landscape. At sunrise on the longest day of the year, the sun shines past the mighty Heel Stone, which sits outside the main circles, illuminating the heart of Stonehenge. A pathway, walked by prehistoric pilgrims, runs past the Heel Stone, while burial mounds and the remains of other circles have been uncovered in the surrounding area.

What Does Stonehenge Mean?

The interpretation of Stonehenge varies significantly. Geoffrey of Monmouth, a famously inaccurate 12th-century historian, claimed it was built in Ireland by African giants, before being whisked across to Wiltshire by Merlin as a resting place for Arthurian royalty. Others have identified it as a Roman temple or associated it with the druids, who were priests and advisers in Celtic Britain. One 18th-century engraving depicted it as a site for human sacrifices to the gods.

However, contemporary understanding reveals that Celts did not arrive in England until around 300 BCE. Stonehenge is indeed the creation of earlier hunter-gatherers and the Beaker People, who were named after the broken pots they left behind. As an oral culture that left no written records, the shape of Stonehenge provides significant clues to its intended purpose.

Two paths, aligned with the sun’s rays during the summer and winter solstices, likely facilitated processions on those dates. Excavations near the site uncovered animal remains indicating that several thousand people participated in winter festivities, having traveled from as far away as the Scottish Highlands. Furthermore, human remains suggest that cremations occurred at this significant site.

Notably, Stonehenge may have been utilized for ancestor worship, interpreted as a symbolic “land of the dead,” or served as a cosmic calendar. Additionally, it could represent peace among newly unified tribes, or function as a space for healing.

How Was Stonehenge Built?

The construction of Stonehenge was indeed epic. Up to 80 bluestones were transported 240km from the Preseli Hills in Wales, either by sea or – remarkably, given they each weigh as much as a small car – by land. The wheel had not yet been introduced to Britain, so it is likely that they were pulled on sledges greased with animal fat or rolled over tree trunks. These stones may have been particularly valued for their acoustic properties.

The larger sarsen stones traveled about 30km from the Marlborough Downs. They possess carved plugs and indentations, indicating that some arches were slotted together. During Stonehenge’s 1500-year heyday, stones were added and removed on several occasions.

Modern Meanings

Throughout much of its history, Stonehenge has been ascribed various meanings. It passed through many owners as an antique curiosity until it became a national treasure in 1928. More recently, there has been a clash between those who view it as a museum piece to be gazed upon and those who believe it should be a living site, allowing for free access.

In the twentieth century, modern pagans centered their revivalist “druidic” rituals around Stonehenge. For New Age travelers in the 1970s and 1980s, it represented a place to celebrate the equinox and seek a connection to ancient freedoms. However, their festivals faced disruption from the police in 1985, leading to tightened access regulations in subsequent years.

Ley-line enthusiasts argue that Stonehenge is the center of a network of connections, attributing it spiritual power. Some even suggest it was constructed by extraterrestrials, a theory popularized in the bestselling book Chariots of the Gods?.

Theories surrounding Stonehenge will continue to emerge, especially if new archeological discoveries come to light. Recent scans have hinted at at least 17 more monuments waiting to be unearthed. Archaeologist Dan Snow described the current findings as “just a beginning.”

However, any future excavations may be complicated by plans to reroute the A303 highway beneath the site, which would improve travel times to popular tourism destinations like Devon and Cornwall while keeping traffic away from the circle, albeit at the risk of erasing thousands of years of still-buried history.

Planning Your Visit

• Stonehenge is generally open from 9am to 8pm during the summer, 9:30am to 7pm in April, May, and September, and 9:30am to 5pm during the winter months. Check for the latest details.
• Visitors typically spend two to three hours exploring the circle and the Visitor Center. The circle itself is a substantial sight, but for a real sense of its wonder, taking in the surrounding countryside and exhibition is recommended. You’ll view the stones from around 10m away; to get closer, consider a Stone Circle Experience, which is highly recommended and allows access inside the circle. These experiences occur early in the morning and in the evening and require advance planning.
• A very different experience occurs during the solstices when access is typically free. Winter (late December) can be wet and chilly, whereas summer (late June) attracts larger crowds.
• If intrigued by Stonehenge but unable to visit, you can explore an interactive tour online. The Avebury Stone Circle is another stunning site, offering free exploration and located just a 30-minute drive from Stonehenge.

This article was first published on June 16, 2020, and was updated on February 7, 2022.