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Contents
Stonehenge facts | What you never knew about the mysterious prehistoric monument
12 interesting Stonehenge facts
Stonehenge is close to 5000 years old
It's one of the oldest things humans have ever built. We still don't know for sure why this circular arrangement of huge stones was made in the first place. It's also way older than the Egyptian pyramids. No wonder it's one of the most popular places to visit in Europe!
It was a 1500-year-long construction project
Archaeologists believe its construction started around 3000 BC, and they kept adding to it until around 1500 BC, with the bluestones rearrangement and the digging of additional pits. Even before that, people were using the area for ceremonies as early as 8000 or 7000 BC.
Stones came from near and far for the monument
Stonehenge is made of two kinds of stones. The Sarsen megaliths are from the region, possibly the Marlborough Downs, 30 miles away. But the smaller bluestones came from Wales, which is over 150 miles away! Some geologists think they were carried to the Salisbury Plain by glaciers during the ice age.
Stonehenge was the cause of conflict in 1985
More than 600 new-age travelers were on their way to celebrate the Stonehenge Free Festival when over 1300 police stopped them about 7 miles away. A huge fight broke out lasting several hours. In the end, the police arrested almost 537 people, making it one of the biggest mass civilian arrests ever in England!
The Stonehenge is a grouping of large ‘ringing rocks’
Even though Stonehenge is super old, it has not lost its acoustic properties and still sounds amazing! When you hit the stones, they make a really loud clanging noise. People used to think that this sound had healing powers in ancient cultures. It's like a natural instrument.
Sunrises and sunsets at Stonehenge are one-of-a-kind
Stonehenge has intrigued visitors for centuries because it lines up perfectly with the sunrise on the summer solstice and the sunset on the winter solstice (the shortest and longest days of the year respectively). Considering how old Stonehenge is, it would have been a great architectural feat at the time it was built.
A ring of 56 pits surrounds Stonehenge
Around Stonehenge, there's a ring of 56 pits called the ‘Aubrey Holes’, named after John Aubrey, a 17th-century antiquarian, who identified them in 1666. They were probably used to hold bluestones from Wales according to excavation research, and human cremation burials were found within and around most holes too.
Stonehenge was a burial ground
Archaeologists and historians think Stonehenge used to be a giant graveyard! In 2013, they found the cremated remains of 50,000 bones, the majority belonging to adult males, dating to 3000-2500 BC. It's the biggest known cemetery from the 3rd millennium BCE in all of Britain.
A circular enclosure was dug with antler picks
Stonehenge is enclosed by a big circular ditch that is 6 feet deep, with special tools made from deer antlers. You can actually see some of these tools in the exhibition today. The ditch was the probably first thing built. Antler picks and bones of cattle and deer are deposited at the bottom, already centuries old when they were placed inside.
The builders still remain unknown
We don't know for sure who built Stonehenge. Different groups of people probably used it over thousands of years for ceremonial purposes, and some of them might have come from other places like Wales or even the Mediterranean regions, based on DNA analysis of the bodies buried nearby.
Stonehenge is incomplete
People broke many of the original sarsens and bluestones apart and took some of the stones away, probably during the Roman and medieval ages. The ground has also been disturbed by digging since the 16th century - George Villiers dug here in 1620 looking for treasure while Charles Darwin dug 2 holes to study earthworms.
Stonehenge is also a temple
Modern-day Druidic societies claim Stonehenge as their temple. But it's not really clear if the original Druids had anything to do with it. The first such society, the Ancient Order of Druids, was formed in 1781. There are a lot more Druid groups now, especially with the decline of conventional religious beliefs.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Stonehenge facts
What is Stonehenge known for?
Stonehenge is known for its massive standing stones arranged in concentric circles, showcasing remarkable engineering and architectural prowess. Its sheer scale, the precision of its alignment with the sun, and the mystery surrounding its purpose make Stonehenge one of the most unique and studied stone circles in the world. Its purpose remains uncertain, but theories range from religious rituals to astronomical observations. It likely served multiple functions over its long history.
How were the stones of Stonehenge transported?
The stones were likely transported using wooden sleds and rollers, while the larger sarsens came from 25 miles away, and the smaller bluestones from over 150 miles away in Wales.
How many visitors does Stonehenge attract annually?
Stonehenge attracts over 1 million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular prehistoric monuments in the world, especially after it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, along with the nearby Avebury stone circle.
Can you touch the stones at Stonehenge?
No, to preserve the site, visitors cannot touch the stones. However, you can get close up to 10 meters during special access tours that allow you to enter the stone circle.
How far is Stonehenge from London?
Stonehenge is approximately 88 miles southwest of London, making it a great day trip option from the capital.
When is Stonehenge open?
Stonehenge is open every day from 9:30am to 5pm in the winter and 9:30am to 7pm in the summer.
When is the best time to visit Stonehenge?
The best times to visit Stonehenge are from March to June and September to November, avoiding peak crowds. Weekdays are preferable, and the best time of day is when it opens at 9:30am. It is less crowded before 11am and after 2pm so plan your visit accordingly. This will also allow you to participate in the sunrise or sunset tour.