Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a monumental circular setting of large standing stones surrounded by a circular earthwork, built in prehistoric times beginning about 3100 b.c. and located about 13km North of Salisbury Wiltshire England.

Today it is more or less in a ruined state, pilfered by medieval, early, and modern builders.

This monument is a circular plane of structures, surrounded by a ditch. The center is a stone setting of a horseshoe, surrounded by a ring of uprights, topped by sarsen lintels. Also contained are the Altar Stone, Slaughter Stone, two Stallion Stones, and the Heel Stone.

There were 3 main stages of building -- Stonehenge I, II, and III.

Stonehenge I began around 3100 b.c. by the native Neolithic People, creating the ditch, erected stones, which still stand is the Slaughter Stone.

Stonehenge II around 2100b.c. remodeled the complex. Added were the 80 bluestone pillars in the center. The double circles of bluestones were taken in Stonehenge III.

Stonehenge III started in 2000 b.c., where the final circle and center horseshoe were completed.

Although none really knows why they were built, it was most likely for a place of worship.

Jennifer