Stonehenge is the most important prehistoric monument in Britain and one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. A unique site attracting thousands of visitors each year.
This giant megalithic construction is located on Salisbury Plain, in the county of Wiltshire, Uk. It is 13 kilometers (8.1 mi) from Salisbury and around 3 kilometers (2.0 mi) from the city of Amesbury.
The famous circle of standing stones is a most valuable source of astronomical knowledge. The name Stonehenge - literally ’hanging stones’ - comes from stan meaning ‘stone’ + to hengan ‘to hang’ in Old English.
It is still unknown the origin and purpose of this ring of monolithic stones. Archaeologists indicate the stones were erected in the Neolithic period (around 3000 BC), and that the site may have been used as a solar sanctuary, a calendar, burial, worship, or as a religious site.
Either its spiritual, mystical or religious purpose, Stonehenge’s astronomical observatory might have predicted eclipses, equinoxes and solstices. The circle, with its continuous lintels, matches the rising and setting points of the sun and moon, one of its most remarkable features. Nowadays, the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, is celebrated at Stonehenge.
The central megalith is the Altar Stone. The stones weight from 4 to 25 tonnes and their height ranges from 2 to 4 meters. The tall upright stone erected and arranged in a circular is called Menhir, thought to be aimed at aspects of the cult of the dead. When the monoliths are placed together and covered over by a flat stone, the monument is called a Dolmen. And a Cromlech is the circle of standing stones which is believed to have been used for social purposes.
Stonehenge along with Avebury henge monument, which is believed to be older, were listed by the Unesco as World Heritage Sites.