Stonehenge

More Than Just Rocks?

Located in Southern Britain in the rural town of Wiltshire, relics of the prehistoric times are preserved through the Stonehenge. This primitive site contains a focal stone circle surrounded by many other significant structures. It signifies the advancement in the prehistoric architecture as well as insight into the funerary and ceremonial practices of this time period. However when tourists attend this World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO, many are confused as to why a bunch of rocks arranged in a circle are worthy of studying. However, these monuments allow us to study a time period from so far back that little to none is known about the prehistoric time period.

The Stonehenge seen today was completed around 1500 BC, but it was started thousands of years before this date. The structure was built within four different stages, with the first stage started around 3100 BC. Archaeologists conclude that the Stonehenge during the first stage consisted of a ditch, bank and holes, all which was earthwork. During the second stage, stones weighing four tons, were transported to this site from south-west Wales which is about 240 miles from Wiltshire. Heavier stones weighing up to 50 tons were moved to the Stonehenge in the third stage; these rocks were brought from 25 miles north of Wiltshire. In the final stage, the stones were rearranged in the circle that is seen today, but many of the stones have been removed or broken since then.

Stonehenge

Some say that the site was a early burial ground, but others claim that the Stonehenge was only used for ceremonial or religious matters. Cremated remains and humans bones have been found in the ditch which was built during the first stage. However the circular structure and organization of the stones indicated that it was built to dedicate the sun and moon. Because the Stonehenge was constructed by a culture without written records, there are many theories about this site. The fact that people with no modern machinery or technology could transport these massive stones signifies the important of this site. However the Stonehenge allows us to learn more about this prehistoric culture, such as their religious beliefs or lifestyles.

After UNESCO declared the Stonehenge a World Heritage Site in 1986, the site was given a special attention as to how it should be preserved and cared for. Currently two roads, A303 and A344, surround the landscape of the Stonehenge worrying many activists working to protect the surrounding landscape of this site. There was a proposal to build a tunnel farther away from the Stonehenge itself so that the road A303 would be closed off. However this sparked a huge debate, in which members of the Stonehenge Alliance compared the surrounding landscape to the buildings surroundings a medieval cathedral. Although many people believe that the tunnel will bring the traffic away from the Stonehenge, others are worried that this project will destroy the cultural heritage of the entire Stonehenge landscape. So should we be mindful to the beautiful scenery surrounding the Stonehenge even if it only may be stones and hills?

http://www.stonehenge.co.uk/
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/373