Stonehenge

We drove to Stonehenge from Oxford, making a stop there on our way to Bathampton. Located in Wiltshire, approximately eight miles north of Salisbury, Stonehenge is one of the most iconic and mysterious prehistoric monuments in the world.

The earliest phase of Stonehenge dates back around 5,000 years, when it served as a burial site for cremated remains. Around 2,500 BC, the monument underwent a major transformation with the erection of its famous standing stones. Two distinct types of stones were used: the massive Sarsens and the smaller Bluestones. The Sarsen stones, weighing between 20 and 30 tons each, were arranged in two main patterns - an outer circular ring and an inner horseshoe formation. Between these were positioned the Bluestones in a double arc.

It is truly mind-boggling to contemplate how prehistoric people managed to transport and erect such colossal monoliths without modern machinery. The Sarsens were quarried from Marlborough Downs, about 20 miles north of Stonehenge, while the Bluestones - each weighing up to 4 tons - were believed to have been sourced from the Preseli Hills in Wales. Archaeologists suggest that the Bluestones were transported by a combination of sea and river routes along the Welsh coast, followed by an overland journey to the site.

The entire process - from quarrying to transportation and final erection - was achieved solely through human ingenuity and determination. Stonehenge stands not just as an archaeological wonder, but as a testament to the skill, strength, and vision of ancient civilizations.

                                                                                 Photo: Courtesy from website.