The name "Stonehenge" means "hanging stone". This ancient monument can be found on England's Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire. It still captures our imagination to this day,
Stonehenge was built in three or four stages over a 1,500-year-period. While experts disagree with respect to when the building commenced, it is thought to have started sometime between 3800 B.C. - 2800 B.C. The main phase of construction on the site took place between 1800 B.C. - 1400 B.C.
The first step in the process was to dig a very large, circular ditch. 56 pits were also dug. These are called the Aubrey Holes (named for John Aubrey, who discovered them in the 17th century). The Aubrey Holes are now filled in with concrete. The Heel Stone was the first one to be brought to the site. It is still in its original position.
Two other rings of pits (known as the Y and Z Holes) can be found between the Aubrey Holes and the circles of stone that form the centre of Stonehenge.
In approximately 2100 B.C., 80 bluestones were either transported from Wales or retrieved from where they were left by glaciers (if you agree with the new theory on the matter). If, in fact the bluestones were brought from Wales, it is thought that the stones would have been transported by raft along the coast of Wales. The journey would continue by water (local rivers) and land (stones dragged on rollers) to Stonehenge where they were placed in two circles.
At a later date, the bluestones were torn down and replaced by 30 sandstone monoliths, known as "sarsens". The sarsens measure approximately 5 m in height and are estimated to weigh approximately 26 tons each! Ball and socket joints were used to secure the lintels on top of pairs of vertical stones. Interestingly enough, Merlin the Magician has been credited with putting the lintels into place. The previously dismantled bluestones were re-erected inside the circle of megaliths - they are the small pillar stones on the site. Holes were also dug outside the main circle in preparation for the construction of a double circle of bluestones, but for some reason this part of the project was never started.
A large block of green sandstone - known as the Altar Stone - was put into place during the final phase of construction.
In the second part of our look at Stonehenge, I will explain the role of the Druids at Stonehenge and discuss some theories put forward as to the site's purpose.
