Initial
construction dates to ~3,100 BC. The second phase is believed
to have started ~2100 BC, and the third 100 years later.
Haunted:
Yes
Type:
Holy place
Location:
Eight
miles northwest of Salisbury in Wiltshire
Around
the world few places evoke the kind of mystical spookiness
of Stonehenge. Revered for its age, its precision,
and its symbolism, these rocks come from out of the
past to remind us that history is much more than what
happens in our Technicolor lifespan. For some this
is the center of the spiritual universe. For others
it is a sign of an advanced ancient culture trying
to understand the world around it. And there are those
who think it marks the place where beings from outer
space will return to earth. A lot has been written
about the mathematical significance of the positions
of the rocks and who laid them. As of this writing,
no one really knows who is responsible. It was erected
long before either the Druids or the Romans were in
the area. However, it is believed that whatever culture
toiled over the centuries to create this enduring
landmark, they were sun worshipers. That conclusion
was arrived at because the northeast axis aligns with
the sunrise during the Summer Solstice -- the longest
day of the year. The most famous feature of Stonehenge
are the sandstone monoliths arranged in a horseshoe,
and formerly joined by a common roof. There is also
a ditch-and-earthworks affair encircling the site,
and a number of other stones within the main arena.
This ditch was the first part of the monument to be
constructed. Archaeologists think primitive men used
bones and antlers to dig the trench as well as dozens
of holes that were for some reason immediately filled-in
again. This is a minor mystery compared to the endless
questions that still remain unanswered. Including
who these people were, what were they doing, and what
happened to them since evidence indicates the site
was abandoned for more than a thousand years. Around
2100 BC the site was rediscovered, and two circles
were made in the center out of 80 four-ton stone pillars
cut from the Preseli Mountains 240 miles away. Once
again, the site was abandoned and rediscovered. It
was this last stage that gave Stonehenge its characteristic
columns and caps. They were transported a mere 20
miles, but the 30 monoliths weighed 50 tons. Some
of the older stone pillars were then rearranged in
an oval. The next, and possibly final, stage of Stonehenge
was never built. It was supposed to be another ring
of 60 pillars. Although the foundations were dug,
the stones were never erected. Still, it's amazing
that the monument is standing at all. Other ancient
sites have been protected by dry weather and a stable
climate. Stonehenge has endured 5,000 years of rain,
wind, snow and hail. To make matters worse, people
used to steal the stones for homes and churches because
there is no quarryable building stone for miles. But
still, it survives and is significant enough to become
one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.
English
Heritage doesn't like the state of Stoneghenge.
It's offering to pay US$88,000,000.00 to close a
nearby freeway, put another one underground, and
get rid of the portable toilets near the site.
May,
2002 - The remains of two men have been found buried
at Stonehenge. Tests on the larger skeleton indicate
he was between 35 and 45 years old when he died around
2300 B.C. The second person was 20 to 25 when he died.
They were found surrounded by more than 100 personal
items, including hair ornaments made of gold.
11
Februay, 2003 - The Independent newspaper reports
that DNA tests on the larger skeleton unearthed at
Stonehenge reveal that he was from central Europe;
most likely from the area of Austria, Germany or Switzerland.
This is a disappointment to those who had hoped he
would be one of the earliest Britons and even took
to calling him "Amesbury Archer." Tests
also show that the two skeletons were related, most
likely father and son.
Visitor
Comments:
From
J.J. Latigo - 15 March, 2003
Stonehenge is one of the true mysteries of the world. LEAVE
IT ALONE! Tell the powers in rule to get away from the idea
of destroying it.
From
Natalie Hornshaw - 1 May, 2003
Having just returned from Stonehenge I can tell you first-hand
what it felt like : commercial, Stonehenge is indeed a sacred
site but I agree with the idea that the nearby road should be
covered, that way people will see Stonehenge in it's natural
landscape and not with a bunch of lorries and cars thundering
near it, if anyone bothered to walk around the Stonehenge estate
they would see a wonderful landscape and they would also see
good examples of religious mounds and pathways, there is more
to stonehenge than the actual stones and the plans for Stonehenge
would help people see that. No-one would even consider destroying
the stones the religious and archaeological communities would
go mad, it's only the road, shop and toilets which are going.
From
Has - 27 June, 2003
personally, i believe the stonehenge is simply one of the world's
most spectacular structures. therefore authorities should really
regard the matter of preserving this marvel seriously and constantly.
From
Marc - 4 July, 2003
i think that after being there. They in which i am talking about
the power that be should leave stonehenge alone it is a Fabulous
place.