Unsolved mysteries of Stonehenge. How to get to the ancient stones? stonehenge in england
In the English county of Wiltshire, a favorite place for tourists is the famous - a bizarre stone structure. The boulders stand in the shape of a circle, some of them are covered with slabs on top. Inside the circle there are also several structures that form a smaller circle. This archaeological monument was officially included in the World Heritage List in 1986, because until now it raises a lot of questions and disputes about its origin.
This building has an ancient name - "Dance of the Giants". Nobody knows the exact year of the appearance of Stonehenge, therefore the estimated period is quite wide - from 3020-2910 BC. e. One thing is clear - it was built for many centuries, and many peoples of that time had a hand in this.
All Stonehenge stones are very different, not only in nature of origin, but also in weight. The heaviest - up to 50 tons. That is why there are doubts that the monument is the work of mankind, because such heavy blocks had to be moved for many years to the construction site. However, according to legend, Stonehenge, in memory of the battle with the Saxons, managed to build Merlin, the main sorcerer of the Britons, in exactly one night.
The exact purpose of Stonehenge is an interesting question for archaeologists and researchers. According to some, the stones personified the cult of the Sun. And others are sure that the stones were necessary for the purposes of astronomy. There is another assumption - the energy of majestic stones could be used to treat sick people who came here from all over the world. The second version is more plausible - many tourists have seen with their own eyes how on the day of the summer solstice the sun rises just above the Heel Stone, which is located at the entrance to the stone circle.
Not so long ago, researchers discovered several religious monuments near Stonehenge, so there is a new assumption that the stone structure is only a small part of a large complex of sacrificial sites and holy places. By the way, over the centuries, the monument has been constantly restored to maintain it, so visually it is somewhat different from its original appearance. At the same time, the scope of the restoration was quite impressive, which caused a lot of criticism, even special investigations were carried out to determine whether the overall picture of the monument had been violated.
You can get to the stone monument by ordering, you will need to drive about 130 km. During the tour, you can learn more about the mysteries and secrets of this unusual place, as well as take unforgettable photos for memory, which will definitely become the pride of your home album.
About this monument not only legends are made, but films are also made. In 2010 alone, two documentaries were released at once. Therefore, before visiting Stonehenge, you can watch a couple of films in order to show your knowledge during the tour.
Stonehenge will be quite an interesting place to visit if you are interested in the mysteries of nature. Surely the greatness of these huge stones will amaze any traveler and make you wonder again about the origin of the famous Stonehenge.
The history and mystery of Stonehenge
Stonehenge is located in the spacious Salisbury Valley, surrounded by hundreds of hills. It symbolizes the mystery, strength and resilience of the country. The history and purpose of its creation still remain a mystery. According to one theory, it was a temple built to worship the ancient gods. Others claim that it was an astronomical observatory. It is noteworthy that one of the stones on the day of the summer solstice casts a shadow in the center of the circle. A third theory says that it was a sacred place for the burial of high-ranking residents of ancient civilizations. But no one can confirm any of the theories. One thing is clear: Stonehenge was not built for everyday events. The effort it took to build Stonehenge was extraordinary. The stones that we can see today are the ruins of the original structure. In those days, the construction of such a monument required enormous efforts and physical labor. At the first stage of construction, it was an earthen 
reinforcement. It was a mound and a ditch. The ditch was called the Henge. The first building was erected 5000 years ago. The second stage of construction - the construction of the inner circle - took place about 2000 years ago. At this stage, the first small stones were erected, which formed the inner circle. Basalt was used. It is believed that the stone that was used to build the inner circle was brought from the mountains of South West Wales. To do this, the stone had to be transported over a distance of about 400 km. Each stone weighed about 4 tons, and 80 of them were used. Contemporaries suggest that the stones were dragged on shafts and sledges from the mountains to water sources, and then they were loaded onto rafts or boats and transported by water through Wales, unloaded and again dragged along the land for about ten kilometers, then immersed in water. After the water stage, it was only necessary to unload and drag them three kilometers.
Sandstone, the stone of the outer circle, weighed about 50 tons each! The distance that had to be overcome in order to deliver it to the place exceeded 30 kilometers. Scientists suggest that 600 people were needed to overcome them just to carry one stone.
Who built?
There is no exact answer to this question. Construction was attributed to various ancient peoples. The most fascinating theory has to do with the druids. This connection was first established by second-hand book dealer John Audrey three hundred years ago. Roman writers, including Julius Caesar, mentioned the Celtic clergy that flourished during the period of the first Roman conquest, in 55 BC. Although by that time the building was already about two thousand years old, and besides, the Druids worshiped the Gods in the forests and did not need stone buildings. Perhaps the most plausible conjecture is the theory that construction of Stonehenge was started by the peoples living at the end of the new stone age, and continued by the people of the "new economy". They were called "bowl people" as they used pottery, began making metalwork, and lived in a more communal style. Rather, they were representatives of the indigenous population.
The legend of King Arthur also mentioned the construction of Stonehenge. According to legend, the monument was brought by giants from Africa to Ireland and had healing powers. But King Aurelius Ambrosius wanted to erect a monument to commemorate and pray for the dead. The idea was to move the stones from Ireland to England and restore the structure. But when the British arrived in Ireland, it became clear that they would never be able to transport such a cargo. Therefore, it was necessary to use magical powers and move the structure.
About the construction of Stonehenge
Stonezhendzh was built in three stages.
I. 3050 BC (5050 years ago) Ring ditch and embankment (henge).
II. Around 2600 BC (4600 years ago) A wooden structure was erected in the center.
III. 2400-1500 BC (4500-3500 years ago) A stone monument was erected, which was then remade and rebuilt for 1000 years.
The largest blocks of the circle - Sarsen stones - were delivered from the Marlborough Hills, located 30 km from Stonehenge. Smaller stones (the so-called Blue stones) were delivered from the mystical mountains of Pressel, located 385 km - in Wales.
One of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, Stonehenge consists of earthworks surrounding ring and horseshoe structures of large menhirs. It lies at the center of the densest complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age sites in England. The monument itself and its surroundings were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, along with Avebury. Stonehenge has been handed over to English Heritage by the British Crown, while the immediate surroundings are owned by the National Trust.
Description of Stonehenge
The plan highlights
1 - Altar stone, a six-ton monolith of green mica sandstone from Wales
2-3 - mounds without graves
4 - fallen stone 4.9 meters long (Slaughter Stone - scaffold)
5 - Heel Stone
6 - two of the originally four vertically standing stones (on the plan of the early 19th century, their position is indicated differently)
7 - moat (ditch)
8 - inner shaft
9 - outer shaft
10 - avenue, that is, a parallel pair of ditches and ramparts leading for 3 km to the Avon River (en: River Avon, Hampshire); now these ramparts are barely visible (see virtual tour)
11 - ring 30 holes, so-called. Y wells; in the 1930s the holes were marked with round posts, which have now been removed
12 - ring 30 holes, so-called. Z wells
13 - circle of 56 holes, known as holes Aubrey (Aubrey holes)
14 - small southern entrance
The stones concentrated in the center of Stonehenge are marked on the plan in color: gray for sandstone boulders (sarsen) and blue for stones imported from afar, mainly blue stones (bluestone). These blocks of stone were probably brought to the site of Stonehenge from a distance of 380 km, approximately from the east of Wales, since this is the nearest stone quarry.
The location of the stones was reconstructed by William Stukeley at the beginning of the 19th century, further research made minor adjustments to it. (See also circular panoramas).
30 sarsen stones form a circle with a diameter of 33 m. These stones reach a height of 4.1 m, a width of 2.1 m and a weight of about 25 tons. On top of them are laid stones-lintels about 3.2 m long and 1 m wide and 0.8 m thick so that the tops of the lintels are 4.9 m above ground level. The stones were fixed using the "groove and tenon" system. The arc of the outer ring of 13 stones has been preserved along with the ceilings. Jumpers are not indicated on the plan.
Within this circle stood five triliths of sarsen, forming a horseshoe open towards the avenue. Their huge stones weigh up to 50 tons each. The triliths are arranged symmetrically: the smallest pair of triliths was 6 m high, the next pair was slightly higher, and the largest was the single central trilith 7.3 m high. By the 19th century, only two triliths from the southeast and one strongly bent support of the central trilith survived. . In the first half of the 20th century, one trilith from the northwest was restored and the support of the central trilith was straightened, which completely changed the view of the complex from the northwest.
The shape of the ring and horseshoe is repeated by a ring without overlaps and a horseshoe made of blue stones.
Stonehenge dating
The first researchers associated the construction of Stonehenge with the Druids. Excavations, however, have pushed back the creation of Stonehenge to the New Stone and Bronze Ages. The modern dating of the elements of Stonehenge is based on the radiocarbon method. The following phases are currently distinguished:
Phase 1 - construction of the main moat and ramparts (Windmill Hill culture). A significant number of deer antlers with traces of "wear" were found in the ditch. Since no silt was found below these horns, it has been suggested that the ditch was dug shortly after the deer were killed. The last event has been radiocarbon dated to 3020-2910 BC. e.
Phase 2 - refilling of the ditch, wooden structures and Aubrey holes.
Phase 3 - Funeral cutting at the top of the refill of the moat, construction of stone rings of sandstone and bluestones, avenues and holes Y and Z (Wessex culture). The material for dating the sarsen boulders, which is available in a very limited amount, indicates 2440-2100 BC. e.
Purpose of Stonehenge
Legends associated the construction of Stonehenge with the name of Merlin. In the middle of the 17th century, the English architect Inigo Jones put forward the version that the ancient Romans built Stonehenge. Some medieval scholars believed that Stonehenge was built by the Swiss or the Germans. At the beginning of the 19th century, the version of Stonehenge as a sanctuary of the Druids was established. Some believed that this was the tomb of Boadicea, a pagan queen.
"" Even the authors of the XVIII century noticed that the position of the stones can be linked with astronomical phenomena. The most famous modern attempt to interpret Stonehenge as a grand observatory of the Stone Age belongs to J. Hawkins and J. White. It has no scientific confirmation.
It is also often claimed that Stonehenge was used for burials. Indeed, burials were found on the territory of the monument, but they were made much later than the construction of Stonehenge. For example, the skeleton of a young man was found in a moat, radiocarbon dated to 780-410 BC. e.
Mike Parker Person, professor of archeology at the University of Sheffield, who leads the Stonehenge Riverside Archaeological Project, said that he believes Stonehenge was considered by the inhabitants of England from the very beginning of its existence until its heyday in the third millennium BC as a territory for burials of the dead.
Stonehenge is a giant stone mystery in the very center of Europe. Today we know very little about its origin, history and purpose, but even this information is enough to understand: ordinary people could not calculate and build such a hulk in any way ... We invite you to learn about the studies of this phenomenal structure and the hypotheses put forward by various scientists, according to the age of Stonehenge and its purpose.
Stonehenge… Several stones, mounds, ditches, pits and ramparts, but both historians and esotericists do not stop talking about it, sharing their guesses and feelings. Moreover, these feelings and thoughts cannot be compared with ordinary and primitive ones. Indeed, a lot has been said about Stonehenge, but much remains to be discovered in order to unravel the mystery of this truly strange structure.
Stonehenge is a stone megalithic structure 130 km southwest of London. Circling along the outer rampart are 56 small burial "Aubrey Holes", named after John Aubrey, who first described them in the 17th century. To the northeast of the entrance to the ring stood a huge, seven-meter Heel Stone. During the construction of Stonehenge II, an earthen alley was laid between the Heel Stone and the entrance. Two rings of 80 huge blue stone blocks were erected, which were probably delivered 320 km from South Wales. At the final stage of construction, the megaliths were rearranged. The blue stones were replaced by a ring colonnade of 30 triliths, each of which consisted of two vertical stones and a horizontal slab resting on them. Once inside the ring there were 5 more separate triliths forming a horseshoe.
According to legend, Merlin himself had a hand in the construction of the megalith, who brought stones from southwestern Wales, famous for its accumulation of sacred springs.
The origin of the huge Heel Stone is connected with another legend. They say that once the devil saw a monk hiding among the stones. Before the unfortunate man could escape, the devil launched a huge boulder at him, which crushed his heel.
However, scientists are of a different opinion. So, in the Renaissance, architect I. Jones suggested that Stonehenge was built by the ancient Romans.
Medieval scientific minds believed that the construction was the work of the Swiss or Germans.
In the 19th century, it was decided that there was a place of power for the druids, thanks to which they could perform serious rituals by combining their communal forces with the forces of nature - it was believed that the megalith was located at the intersection of energy lines.
The English writer and historian Tom Brooks, as a result of his many years of research, concluded that Stonehenge was part of a giant navigation system consisting of isosceles triangles, the top of each of which pointed to the next point.
In our time, some historians put forward the theory that Stonehenge is the tomb of Boadicea, a certain pagan queen. In any case, everyone agrees on the presence of some deep meaning that the ancient architects endowed their work with. After all, it was obviously not in vain that in the 18th century the natives broke off pieces from the megalith and carried it with them as an amulet.
In general, it is a structure of 82 five-ton megaliths, 30 stone blocks, weighing 25 tons each, and 5 huge so-called triliths, stones weighing up to 50 tons. Stacked stone blocks form arches that once served as a flawless indicator of the cardinal directions.
Until recently, scientists assumed that this monument was built in the second millennium BC by the tribes living in the British Isles to observe the Sun and Moon. But the latest data of modern science force us to reconsider many of the conclusions of researchers. Archaeologists now agree that this architectural monument was built in three stages between 2300 and 1900. BC. And recent studies of this territory have shown that people lived here as early as 7200 BC, long before the creation of Stonehenge (before that, it was believed that there was no one here before 3600).
Back in the 20s of the last century, the famous geologist X. Thomas established. that the stones for the construction of the complex were delivered from the quarries. which were located more than 300 kilometers from the construction site! Needless to say, transporting the giant blocks of stone required incredible effort.
At the end of 1994, University of Wales professor David Bowen used the latest method to determine the age of Stonehenge. It turned out that it is 140,000 years old. Why did the ancient people need to make great efforts to cut down, complex transportation, processing of the strongest blocks and their incredible accuracy in installing them in a strict order? There is no answer to this question yet...
Renowned astronomer Fred Hoyle. having studied all the geometric features of Stonehenge, he determined that the creators of this structure knew the exact orbital period of the moon and the duration of the solar year. According to the conclusions of other researchers, the holes located inside the circle formed by stone blocks exactly indicate the trajectory of the Pole of the World 12-30 thousand years ago!
In 1998, astronomers recreated the original appearance of Stonehenge using a computer and conducted various studies. Their findings were shocking to many. It turns out that this ancient monolith is not only a solar and lunar calendar, as previously thought, but also an accurate cross-sectional model of the solar system. According to this model, the solar system consists not of nine, but of twelve planets, two of which are beyond the orbit of Pluto, and one is between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, where the asteroid belt is now located. In principle, this model confirms the assumptions of modern astronomical science and is fully consistent with the ideas of many ancient peoples, who also believed that the number of planets in our solar system is twelve.
A feature of all ancient megaliths is their unusually high seismic resistance. Studies have shown that during their construction, special platforms were used to soften or completely extinguish tremors. Most of all ancient structures were erected on such platforms. In addition, such foundations practically do not give “soil shrinkage”, which inevitably occurs in modern construction.
Scientists do not yet know who and why erected this grandiose astronomical observatory during the Stone Age. On this occasion, discussions and disputes are still in full swing, which are unlikely to subside in the near future - the too colorful building is the subject of these debates.
One thing is certain, whoever the ancient builders were, they possessed simply colossal knowledge in astronomy, mathematics, geology and architecture! And if we take into account that grandiose monuments and structures in prehistoric times were erected almost all over the world, then we can conclude that we, modern people, know practically nothing about our own history ...
Most researchers, considering Stonehenge, cite it as evidence of the brilliant astronomical knowledge of the ancient British. It is possible that for the ancient inhabitants of Britain and northern France, megalithic structures such as Stonehenge were both astronomical and ritual structures. In them, simultaneously with the study of planets, stars, sunrises and sunsets, the dead were buried, as evidenced by numerous burial grounds and other ritual places.
Stonehenge (Great Britain) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Reviews of tourists, photos and videos.
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Covered in secrets and legends, Stonehenge is an ancient megalith located in the south of England, in the Salisbury region, 130 km from London. This is a complex of 30 roughly hewn huge pillars and slabs of stone, stacked on top of each other in concentric circles.
The purpose of Stonehenge is still not fully understood by scientists: some consider it a temple, others consider it an astronomical observatory, some consider it a tomb, and legends say that the Atlanteans, Hyperboreans and the famous wizard Merlin performed rituals here.
This place is one of the most mysterious in the world, it is classified as an archaeological monument and is included in the UNESCO List of Protected Sites. Many tourists who want to see this wonder of the world come to Stonehenge to wander around the stones. It is forbidden to approach the structures, but at dawn or dusk you can enter the center of the circle.
Origin
The main mysteries of Stonehenge are who, how and why built such a monumental structure. Blocks of stone were hollowed out in the rock of the Presela Mountains and brought here several thousand years ago, covering a distance of 200 km!
According to a widespread hypothesis, the megalith was built by the ancient Celtic priests - the Druids and was used as a temple of heavenly bodies, but it does not agree with the age of the dolmens established by archaeologists - 3-5 thousand years BC. e.
Celtic legends claim that Stonehenge is the sanctuary of the wizard Merlin, which he created with the power of magic.
Another purpose attributed to the megalith is a pagan temple, where sacrifices were made to stone idols and burials were held. Scientists are still leaning more towards the version of the observatory of the ancients. Using the radiocarbon method, it was determined that the moat and earthen ramparts were made around 5000 BC. e. After that, monoliths were delivered here and they were used to make a circular stone structure with a diameter of 30 m. The mass of the largest elements reaches 50 tons, so the delivery and installation of these giants without modern technical devices is a real miracle.
Multi-ton vertical pillars are covered with huge slabs and look like a colonnade. Between themselves, they are fastened with a system of grooves and spikes, which is why the design has stood the test of time and almost did not fall apart.
There are other interesting objects not far from the complex. For example, 5 km away is the burial place of a rich man who lived during the construction of the megalith. Silbury Hill is a 40-meter artificial mound, it is also on the World Heritage Register, one of the largest in the world and the same age as Stonehenge.
stonehenge
Practical Information
Address: Amesbury, Salisbury SP4 7DE. GPS coordinates: 51.179177, −1.826284. (in English.).
How to get there: With a group tour from London (cost from 60 GBP), by rented car or by train from Waterloo station to Salisbury station, then 40 minutes by Wilts & Dorset Stonehenge Tour bus or by taxi for 25-31 GBP.
Opening hours: from 9:00 to 20:00 entry until 18:00. Ticket prices: 17.5 GBP for adults and 10.50 GBP for children. Prices on the page are for September 2018.
