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VISITING STONEHENGE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHERE IS STONEHENGE?

Stonehenge in England is near the city of Amesbury within the English county of Wiltshire. In the event you Google the map of Stonehenge, it says it’s within the city of Salisbury, nevertheless it’s about 8 miles (13 kilometers) northwest of Salisbury on the Salisbury Plain.

View the Stonehenge location on Google Maps right here:

HOW OLD IS STONEHENGE?

The precise age of Stonehenge is unknown, however the outstanding monument was constructed someplace between 5000 and 3500 years in the past as a spot the place folks gathered.

The historical past of Stonehenge begins as a burial website for the cremated stays of between 150 and 200 folks. Chemical evaluation suggests a number of lived and died in West Wales earlier than their stays have been buried within the memorial.

Other than this place, the encompassing panorama was additionally used for spiritual devotion by farming communities. Even at this early stage, observations of the solar performed a job.

Across the yr 4500 it was found how you may extract metallic from stone, that you may soften it down and use it to make new objects. Along with a way of magic among the many folks, it additionally enabled important improvements in carpentry, joinery and boat constructing, as metallic may very well be reused and reworked into objects resembling copper and bronze axes.

Stonehenge took on its acquainted type round this time. Greater than 80 large boulders, every requiring a minimum of 1000 folks to be transported, have been moved about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from West Woods in England, southwest of an space referred to as “Marlborough Downs”. The bluestones have been transported over 155 miles (250 kilometers): they arrive the Preseli Hills in Wales.

This effort required unprecedented communal labor, endurance and planning. It took generations to finish.

HOW WAS STONEHENGE BUILT?

Constructing Stonehenge started by marking the sacred floor by digging a trench into which rubble was thrown to type the henge’s outer surrounding financial institution.

Inside, they raised a circle of giant, mottled dolerite Bluestone boulders. This was completed by digging a big gap, with a slope on one facet. The again of the opening was lined with a row of wood posts. The stone was then positioned and lifted upright utilizing plant fiber ropes and doubtless a wood A-frame. Weights could have been used to tilt the stone upright. The outlet was then packed tightly with rubble.

Wood platforms have been most likely used to position the horizontal lintels (the stones on high, because the “desk high”). Then the construction was bolstered by exactly interlocking connections, unseen in every other prehistoric monument.

Afterwards, the stones have been adorned utilizing superior strategies.

There have been two authentic entrances to the enclosure – a large one on the northeast and a smaller one on the south. There are a lot of extra roads and potholes within the circuit right now, largely the results of later tracks that when crossed the monument.

Simply contained in the financial institution have been 56 pits generally known as the Aubrey Holes. About half of those have been excavated and marked with white concrete circles within the Twenties.

WHAT DO I SEE WHEN I LOOK AT STONEHENGE?

I can think about that many individuals see Stonehenge as “only a pile of boulders”. In comparison with buildings such because the Pyramids in Egypt, the entire thing could not look very spectacular right now (effectively, for historical past geeks like myself, after all they do look spectacular).

Right here’s what you’re , and what Stonehenge should have regarded like in its heyday:

• The stones of the central cluster, which have been dropped at the location round 2500 BC, are of two varieties: the bigger sarsens and the smaller bluestones.
• The sarsens have been erected in two concentric preparations: the internal one is a horseshoe of 5 trilithons (two vertical stones capped by a horizontal lintel). Three of those are nonetheless fully upright.
• Across the horseshoe you may see the stays of the outer sarsen circle, capped with lintels. There have been most likely 30 stones on this circle as soon as, however many have fallen and a lot of the lintels and some uprights are lacking.
• Close to the middle is the “Altar Stone“, which is essentially buried below the fallen stone of the very best trilithon.
• There are a number of different stones round Stonehenge. Two of the 4 “Station Stones” are nonetheless of their authentic place, marking the corners of a rectangle. These may very well be associated to the erection of Stonehenge or to the alignment of the solstice, which we’ll speak about later.
• Instantly exterior the northeast entrance you will discover the “Heel Stone“, an enormous unformed sarsen boulder. It could have been an early stone on the location, standing up from its authentic place close by.
• Additionally on the northeast entrance you’ll discover the “Slaughter Stone“, a fallen sarsen that when stood upright with one or two different stones throughout the entry highway.
• From the doorway of the enclosure runs the “Avenue“, constructed to hyperlink Stonehenge to the River Avon and the small henge on the financial institution, found in 2008, in West Amesbury. The development of this processional route confirmed Stonehenge’s sacred standing.

Study extra about Stonehenge on this detailed map of Stonehenge and see all of the stones, holes and different markings on the English Heritage web site >

WHAT DID PEOPLE DO AT STONEHENGE?

There are a lot of myths about Stonehenge, however what precisely was the monument for? Was it a Druid temple? An astronomical pc for predicting eclipses and photo voltaic occasions? A spot of worship? A coronation place for kings? A middle for therapeutic? There are numerous (generally considerably wild) theories on the market.

We’ll by no means know for positive, however Stonehenge was positively a spot the place the course of the solar was noticed and celebrated for lots of of years.

Within the centuries that adopted, nevertheless, few monuments of photo voltaic significance have been constructed. The introduction of metallic to Britain and Eire about 4300 years in the past enabled cosmological beliefs, represented by Stonehenge and different monuments, in a variety of wearable objects.

The affect of this was nice, as beforehand there have been solely everlasting monuments to watch and worship the solar at set instances of the yr – and now you may have your individual private connection to the heavens above by holding its picture in particular person, and even put on it.

Gold discs, specifically, turned the image of the solar cult, marking a believer or pilgrim getting back from locations resembling Stonehenge.

WHAT IS THE STONEHENGE SOLSTICE?

Marking the passage of time was necessary to many historical cultures. For the folks of Stonehenge who have been farmers, grew crops and herded animals, it was necessary to know when the seasons modified. The summer time and winter “solstice” was an actual benchmark for this.

A solstice is the time or date (twice a yr) when the solar reaches its most or minimal declination, marked by the longest and shortest days. This falls round June 21 and December 22 yearly. Stonehenge is completely attuned to the actions of the solar.

At Stonehenge, through the summer time solstice, the solar rises behind the Heel Stone within the northeastern a part of the horizon and its first rays shine into the guts of Stonehenge.

Through the winter solstice, should you stand within the entrance of the enclosure and look in direction of the middle of the stones, you may see the solar setting within the southwestern a part of the horizon.

The winter solstice could have been extra necessary than the summer time solstice to the individuals who constructed and used Stonehenge. Excavations at Durrington Partitions (a Neolithic settlement simply over 2 miles (3 kilometers) from Stonehenge) recommend that folks held big celebrations round this time of yr.

You’ll be able to learn far more concerning the solstice at Stonehenge on the English Heritage web site >

WHY DID STONEHENGE TO DETERIORATE?

About 3700 years in the past, Stonehenge was on the coronary heart of the densest focus of burial mounds in Britain, together with a few of the richest in Europe. The emphasis had shifted from constructing communal monuments to erecting mounds in cemeteries.

About 3500 years in the past, the affect of the Stonehenge area started to wane. Communities on the south coast of England sought social and political relationships in continental Europe, which turned an more and more necessary supply of precious bronze.

As new sorts of objects emerged, so did new concepts about providing treasured objects to repay or search safety from nature or ancestral spirits. Older spiritual beliefs and the position of monuments resembling Stonehenge turned much less influential consequently.

The arrival of the “Beaker Folks” in England round 2500 was a turning level on this planet of Stonehenge. Whereas it’s doable that a few of the early newcomers assisted or impressed the good achievements in stone, it is usually clear that that they had completely different priorities and beliefs.

Fragments of bluestone discovered on the website round this time recommend that the monument was reworked and even destroyed. Elsewhere, henges have been damaged up and dismantled. Development of a majority of these monuments slowed dramatically as demise and the afterlife turned dominant cultural considerations.

The world modified, and can at all times change… and Stonehenge is a fantastic reminder of this.

WHAT CAN YOU SEE IN THE STONEHENGE MUSEUM?

The museum lets you uncover the story of Stonehenge and be taught extra concerning the stones, the panorama, the folks and their significance, by way of a mix of audiovisual experiences and greater than 250 archaeological artifacts found within the panorama.

You’ll see the whole lot from jewellery, pottery and instruments to historical human stays. Lots of this stuff are on mortgage from the Salisbury Museum and Wiltshire Museum. You’ll be able to view the highlights of the gathering on the English Heritage web site >

There are additionally common particular exhibitions within the customer middle.

TIP: There’s a common bus service between the customer middle and the stone circle in case you are not capable of stroll. This takes about 10 minutes.

WHAT ARE THE COTTAGES AT STONEHENGE’S MUSEUM?

Fascinating to go to are the reconstructions of 5 Neolithic homes, that are primarily based on archaeological proof of homes discovered at Durrington Partitions.

Courting confirmed that these homes have been inhabited for about 50-100 years in about 2500 BC, the very time the sarsen stones have been erected at Stonehenge. So it is extremely seemingly that the folks residing in these homes have been concerned within the building and celebrations at Stonehenge.

Every room had a chalk ground, a fire, and partitions made with poles. Some had traces of furnishings and chalk partitions.

All homes are made by volunteers in an genuine approach with native supplies. On some days they’re additionally there to speak to you concerning the homes and display the day-to-day actions of Stonehenge’s builders, from grinding grain to creating rope from rushes.

IS STONEHENGE FREE?

No, sadly the doorway to Stonehenge is paid. The price is £20 for adults and £12 for kids aged 5-17. There are additionally household tickets on the market, see the underside of this weblog.

A go to is free for English Heritage members. Verify their web site for extra info and to search out essentially the most present Stonehenge costs.

DO YOU NEED A RESERVATION FOR STONEHENGE?

You don’t must ebook your ticket upfront, however you’ll at all times get one of the best worth and assured entry by reserving on-line earlier than your go to.

For tickets, go to the English Heritage web site >

IS THERE A STONEHENGE AUDIO GUIDE?

This was at all times there, however these days there isn’t a longer an audio information which you could hire on the customer middle. I don’t know if that is due to the pandemic or if it’ll come again sooner or later.

For now, you may obtain a free audio tour from the Apple App Retailer or Google Play Retailer. previous to your go to. Don’t neglect to deliver your headphones!

CAN YOU ENTER THE INNER CIRCLE OF STONEHENGE?

The inside of the stone circle at Stonehenge isn’t solely particular but in addition very tight, so it isn’t only for everybody to go to. With the particular “Stone Circle Expertise” you will get as near the stones as doable within the early morning or night with as much as 30 folks per session.

With no different folks apart from your group at Stonehenge, you’ll have 45 minutes to wander among the many stones and uncover all of the fascinating particulars that may solely be seen up shut. An skilled information will reply all your questions and can help you take as many photographs as you want.

The price for this distinctive expertise is £48 for adults (18+) and £29 for kids aged 5-17. Kids below 5 are free. Reductions can be found for English Heritage members.

E-book this expertise on the English Heritage web site >

Would you quite spend your cash on one thing else? Then you may entry this interactive tour of Stonehenge, which gives you a 360 diploma view from the within of the monument >

CAN YOU TOUCH STONEHENGE?

Brief reply: no.

Not which you could get near the monument throughout your stroll, but in addition through the particular “Stone Circle Expertise” you aren’t allowed to face on the stones or contact them.

FUN FACTS STONEHENGE

The Stonehenge World Heritage Web site is big: it’s an space 7.5 instances the scale of New York’s Central Park! Need to know extra enjoyable information about Stonehenge? Then learn on:

1. The common Stonehenge sarsen weighs 25 tons. The biggest stone, the Heel Stone, weighs about 30 tons!
2. A few of Stonehenge’s stones are even greater than they give the impression of being. For instance, “Stone 56“, the very best standing stone on the location, protrudes 2.13 meters above the bottom, however with the half that’s underground, it measures at least 8.71 meters!
3. Stonehenge was purchased at public sale in 1915 for £6600 by native businessman Cecil Chubb, who (allegedly) got here to the public sale to purchase some eating room chairs.
4. About 1500 Roman artifacts have been discovered at Stonehenge, together with cash, pins, jewellery and fragments of pottery. Not solely have been these left by Roman vacationers, they’re mentioned to have been left behind by folks visiting Stonehenge as a shrine – massive pits have been dug within the monument on the time as effectively.
5. Stonehenge, together with Avebury, was one of many very first websites within the UK to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Listing in 1986.
6. Stonehenge is extra than simply the stone circle. Half of the World Heritage Web site of Stonehenge accommodates greater than 700 identified archaeological websites, together with greater than 180 scheduled monuments resembling henges, wood buildings, enclosures and lots of burial mounds.
7. Need to see distinctive historic Stonehenge photographs? Then click on by way of to the web site of English Heritage >
8. This boy constructed a LEGO Stonehenge from 7000 blocks… you simply need to find time for it!>

IS STONEHENGE WORTH SEEING?

After studying this text you’ll already know lots concerning the historical past of Stonehenge, the development of the stone circle and the tales and myths about Stonehenge and the individuals who lived within the space. What do you assume? Would a go to be well worth the pretty lengthy journey time from London?

I definitely assume so! My father is an archaeologist, so I grew up with the concept that it is very important map historical past and go that information on to new generations. Partly due to this, I believe {that a} go to to Stonehenge has further worth for me.

Seeing objects and nature that’s so many hundreds of years previous, that at all times has one thing particular, one thing that you just can’t expertise on-line. I actually assume Stonehenge is an icon of the previous and perceive why it’s nonetheless the topic of many work and poems and has been featured in so many books, music and movies.

In case you are planning a visit to southern England, I can positively advocate a go to to Stonehenge. If solely to type your individual opinion. Will you let me know the way you preferred it?

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

VISIT STONEHENGE