| Stonehenge is a world famous stone megalithic structure on Salisbury plain in England, located approximately 130km to the southwest of London. The first attempt in interpretation of Stonehenge as a grandiose observatory of Stone Age belongs to J. Hawkins and J. White. The majority of researchers, after studying Stonehenge from history-archaeological and astronomical points of view, categorize it as proof of the brilliant astronomical knowledge of the ancient British. It is not excluded, that for the ancient inhabitants of Britain and north of France, the megalithic structures of the Stonehenge type were both astronomical and ritual structures. The study of planets, stars, sunrises and sunsets and the moon and also the burial of dead people were done in these structures. The existing numerous burial grounds and other ceremonial places speak about the burying of the dead in these structures. Probably, burial was done only at a certain time, connected with the phases of the moon or other natural phenomena. The monumental complexes of the ancient architecture Maya in Central America, for example, and observatories that were built where astronomical observations were carried out in well-known ancient complexes of Mexico, with same functionality as that of Stonehenge also existed. According to the most popular version, the name originated from the English Stone Hedge - stone enclosure. Official information about the monument can be found on the site “English Heritage”. Stonehenge is on the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.
History of Stonehenge:
First archeologists linked Stonehenge with druidic excavations, but, put the creation time of Stonehenge to the new stone and bronze ages. The modern dating of elements of Stonehenge is based on the radiocarbon method. At present, the following phases are identified:
Phase 1: The construction of the main ditch and banks. A significant quantity of deer antlers were found in the ditch. Since silt was not found below these antlers, it was assumed that the ditch has been dug soon after the killing of the deer. The last event dated by the radiocarbon method was 3020-2910 BC. In this case, some deviation samples are available.
Phase 2: The secondary filling of the ditch with wooden structures and Aubrey holes.
Phase 3: The funeral incision in top of the secondary filling of the ditch, the construction of the stone rings from sandstone and blue stones and the avenue and holes Y and Z. Material for the dating of the boulders, available in a rather limited quantity, indicates 2440 - 2100 BC |
