Stonehendge Essay, Research Paper

When you think of Stonehenge, you think of the Ancient Druid Civilization that supposedly built it, this is in fact not true. In this essay, I will show you the building of one of the most amazing art forms in history, as well as give some insight on legend.

Certainly the best known of all megalithic sites, Stonehenge stands in isolation on the undulating chalk of Salisbury Plain, west of Amesbury, between the busy A303 and A344 roads. At first sight, this unique and enigmatic site appears smaller than imagined, but the tallest upright stone is 6.7m (22ft) high, with another 2.4m (8ft) below ground.

The outermost element of the site is the Avenue that runs straight down a gentle slope for 530m (560yds) into Stonehenge Bottom. The Avenue consists of twin banks about 12m (40ft) apart with internal ditches, and it begins at the entrance to the earthwork enclosure. Here is the Heel Stone, a large upright unworked sarsen (hard sandstone) that lies immediately adjacent to the A344 road. It is worth noting that the nearest source of stones of the size represented by the large sarsens at Stonehenge is on the Marlborough Downs, about 30km (18mi) to the NE. One may only imagine how these stones had been moved; it only seems logical that these stones (the heaviest of which weighs about 45 tons) were transported on some type of sledge.

Moving inwards from the Heel Stone is an earthwork enclosure that consists of a ditch and an interior bank, the height of which was calculated by Professor Atkinson as being about 1.8m (6ft). It is known that there were at least two entrances, the one now visible (facing NE) and one to the south. Lying within the entrance is an unworked and now recumbent sarsen stone, stained a rusty red caused by rainwater acting on iron, and known as the Slaughter Stone. Arranged around the inner edge of the earthwork bank were originally four small uprights: the Station Stones, of which two are still visible. Immediately adjacent to the bank is a ring of 56 pits, known as the Aubrey Holes, marked by circular concrete spots. The area between the inner edge of the bank and the outermost stone settings includes at least two further settings of pits: the Y and Z holes.

On the central area of the site, there are the stone settings, the sophisticated arrangements that set Stonehenge apart from any other prehistoric monument in Europe. In their construction two types of stone were used: sarsen and bluestone. The sarsens used in the central settings are much larger. The bluestone is a mixture of rocks found on the Preseli Mountains in SW Wales. The most widely accepted theory regards the arrival of the bluestones on Salisbury Plain as the result of human effort, with the route being partly overland and partly by water.

In its complete form the outermost stone setting consisted of a circle of 30 upright sarsens, of which 17 still stand, each weighing about 25 tons. The tops of these uprights were linked by a continuous ring of horizontal sarsen lintels, only a small part of which is now still in position. The stones in the sarsen circle are carefully shaped and the horizontal lintels joined not only by means of simple mortice-and-tenon joints, but they are also locked using what is effectively a dovetail joint. The edges are smoothed into a gentle curve, which follows the line of the entire circle.

The bluestone setting, concentric the outer sarsen circle, consisted originally of about 60 stones, but many have fallen, dissolved or been crushed. Inside these two circles lies the sarsen horseshoe, consisted originally of five sarsen trilithons (a Greek word that means three stones), each comprising two uprights with a horizontal lintel. Although now fragmentary, the arrangement shows the careful grading of the five trilithons, the tallest of which is 6.7m (22ft) high above ground level. Enfolded within this massive horseshoe lies a smaller horseshoe arrangement of upright bluestones.

Current archaeological research shows that this site was constructed and modified on various phases, spanning several centuries:

? PERIOD I (c. 3100 – 2300 BCE) — Neolithic Age The earliest portion of the complex, which dates to approximately 3100-2300 BCE., comprised a circular ditch of about 330 feet (100 meters) in diameter with an internal bank, and a north-eastern entrance Just inside the earth bank is a circle of 56 Aubrey holes (named Aubrey holes for their 17th-century discoverer, John Aubrey). Probably also dating to this time are the four Station Stones (only two of which survive) and, on the northeast side, an earthwork which runs from the break in the bank and ditch. The now fallen Slaughter Stone, located at the break in the bank and ditch, may date from the period, as well as the Heel Stone, located further out along the Avenue.

PERIOD II (c. 2100 – 2000 BCE)

People of the Beaker Culture built an earthwork approach road, now called the Avenue, to the entrance of the bank and ditch. The Beaker Culture found bluestone from the Preseli Mountains in southwestern Wales. With this, they set up the double concentric circle of Menhirs (large, rough-hewn standing stones) within the earlier ring. Both the Avenue and the double circle were orientated toward the summer solstice sunrise. The double circle was never completed and was dismantled during the following period.

Ten upright stones arranged as five freestanding pairs with a single lintel (the so-called trulithons) were placed in the shape of a horseshoe. The trilithons were then enclosed within a circle of about 108 feet (33 meters) in diameter comprised originally of 30 neatly trimmed upright sandstone blocks (known today as sarsens). These stones, which stand on average 13 feet (4 metres) above the ground, are about 6.5 feet (2 metres) wide, and 3 feet (1 metre) thick, supported a continuous ring of sarsen lintels (held in place by tongue-and-groove joints).

The 35-ton heel stone was possibly placed during the second period. Its placement was one of the most sophisticated accomplishments of that age and provides the best evidence that early people used astronomy. On Midsummer Day (June 24 then, now June 21) a person standing in the center of the circle can see the sun rise directly above the heel stone

? PERIOD III (c. 2000 – 1550 BCE)

A circle of 30 sarsen-stone (weighing up to 50 tons each) uprights 30.5 m (100 ft) in diameter and capped by a continuous ring of sarsen lintels was erected in the center of the site. This circle surrounds a horseshoe-shaped setting of five sarsen trilithons (formations in which two uprights support a lintel). After transporting the sarsen stones from Marlborough Downs, 30 km (20 mi), the stones were shaped and jointed together with stone hammers. Other changes involved adding, moving, and rearranging stones that had been used during the second period. No other megalithic structure in northwestern Europe displays the precision and architectural refinement that Stonehenge does. Some of the bluestones were later reerected in the center in an oval structure that contained at least two miniature trilithons, and holes were dug for the rest to be set in two concentric circles (the so-called Y and Z holes) outside the sarsen circle. This plan was abandoned unfinished, however, and the bluestones were finally rearranged (c.1550 BC) in the circle and horseshoe whose remains survive today.

? PERIOD IV (c. 1550 – 1100 BCE)

The Avenue was extended to the River Avon, 2 km (1.25 mi) from Stonehenge

? LEGENDS

1. The legend of King Arthur provides another story of the construction of Stonehenge. It is told by the twelfth century writer, Geoffrey of Monmouth, in his History of the Kings of Britain that Merlin brought the stones to the Salisbury Plain from Ireland. Sometime in the fifth century, there had been a massacre of 300 British noblemen by the treacherous Saxon leader, Hengest. Geoffrey tells us that the high king, Aurelius Ambrosius, wanted to create a fitting memorial to the slain men. Merlin suggested an expedition to Ireland for transplanting the Giant’s Ring stone circle to Britain. According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, the stones of the Giant’s Ring were originally brought from Africa to Ireland by giants (who else but giants could handle the job?). The stones were located on “Mount Killaraus” and were used as a site for performing rituals and for healing. Led by King Uther and Merlin, the expedition arrived at the spot in Ireland. The Britons, none of whom were giants, apparently, were unsuccessful in their attempts to move the great stones. At this point, Merlin realized that only his magic arts would turn the trick. Therefore, they were dismantled and shipped back to Britain where they were set up as they had been before, in a great circle, around the mass grave of the murdered noblemen. The story goes on to tell that Aurelius, Uther and Arthur’s successor, Constantine were also buried there in their time

2. Another legend claims that the stones were stolen from an Irish woman by the Devil, and re-erected on Salisbury Plain by Merlin for Ambrosius Aurelianus, the King of Britons.

Stonehenge is a World Heritage Site owned by English Heritage. This conservation organization, along with the National Trust (which owns 587ha of land surrounding the monument), is working towards removing the A344 road and improving the landscape around the stones. Their aim is to restore Stonehenge to its isolated dignity. In fact, as one of the most visited monument in England, the site is always overwhelmed with tourists. The best approach is early in the morning or in the evening, when it is not open to the public. There are magnificent views of the monument coming by car from the A303. In the Salisbury Museum are objects found during excavations at Stonehenge and an original William Turner painting of the site.

As you can now see, not only is the History of Stonehenge exciting, but also so are the Legends behind its creation.

? Stonehenge: Making Space (Materializing Culture Series)

Barbara Bender, et al / Published 1998

? Stonehenge Revealed

David Souden / Published 1997

? Stonehenge and Its Environs : Monuments and Land Use

Great Britain Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monument / Paperback / Published 1980

? The Making of Stonehenge

Rodney Castleden / Library Binding / Published 1994

? The Mystery of Stonehenge

Nancy Lyon / Library Binding / Published 1977

The Secret of Stonehenge

I.L. Cohen / Published 1982