Stonehenge, one of the ancient wonders of the world, is known for its mystery and impressive prehistoric architecture. It’s easy to pay attention to the giant Salisbury sarsen stones which dominate the structure with their iconic appearance, however whilst they are impressive in size and weight their origins fall short of interesting in comparison to the smaller bluestones placed in the inner rim of the circle.
The purpose of Stonehenge is still shrouded in mystery. Many believe it was a burial site for the dead or at least a memorial site. The monument’s entrance is exactly inline with the rising sun of the summer solstice, which is celebrated on the pagan holiday of Litha. This suggests that ancient astronomers were possibly using Stonehenge as a solar calendar, tracking the moon and sun throughout the changing seasons.
Legend states how the stones where moved from a giants’ monument in Ireland to Salisbury by the wizard Merlin, a story with no evidence other than its story proves to contain a grain of truth. Whilst the stones where not taken from Ireland by magic, they were however moved from Wales 137 miles by sledges and human strength. Initially it was believed the bluestones were brought across by boat as it would saved many miles, however experimental archaeologists found that prehistoric boats were simply not strong enough. This boat theory was proven completely wrong by an experiment in 2014 where the stones sank only a few yards off shore.
Recently discovered 50 stone circle in comparison to the current Stonehenge
Evidence found in the Preseli Hills of Pembrokeshire (where the Salisbury bluestones are from) led to the discovery of an even larger original stone circle of bluestones at Waun Mawn. Cross sections of some of the bluestones at Stonehenge have been identified to fit in their place; indentations at the site suggest that up to 50 stones were removed and taken by sledge to Salisbury.
The drastic measures that these people went through to bring the stones with them shows how important the stones must have been to Neolithic people, given that they went to the effort of dragging their history and ancestry along with them when they migrated south and east.