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The site was added to the ]'s list of ] in ]. The site was added to the ]'s list of ] in ].

The stones of Stonehenge are aligned with particular significance to the ] and ] points.
As a result, some have claimed that Stonehenge represents an "ancient observatory," although the extent of its use in that regard is in dispute.


<B>Construction</B> <B>Construction</B>
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*<i>Y and Z holes</i> *<i>Y and Z holes</i>


''see also ]'', ] ''see also ]'', ], ]

Revision as of 13:00, 26 August 2002

Stonehenge is an archeological site located in Wiltshire, England, about 8 miles northwest of Salisbury. It is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones, i.e., a megalith, dated back to 3100 BC. It is located beside the A303 between Amesbury and Stoke.

File:Stonheng.JPG

The site was added to the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986.

The stones of Stonehenge are aligned with particular significance to the solstice and equinox points. As a result, some have claimed that Stonehenge represents an "ancient observatory," although the extent of its use in that regard is in dispute.

Construction

The stones are as follows:

  • The Altar Stone: a 5 metre block of green sandstone (all the other stones in Stonehenge are bluestone derived from Preseli in Wales)
  • The Slaughter Stone
  • The Heel Stone once known as the Friar's Heel, (an anglicisation of the Welsh "Ffreya sul", after Ffreya, a druidic goddess of fertility, and sul (pronounced 'seal') meaning Sun Day). Geoffrey of Monmouth, in typically folkloric style, says the devil bought the stones from a woman in Ireland, wrapped them up, and brought them to Salisbury plain. One of the stones fell into the River Avon, the rest were carried to the plain. The devil then cried out, "No-one will ever find out how these stones came here." A friar replied, "That's what you think!," whereupon the devil threw one of the stones at him and struck him on the heel. The stone stuck in the ground, and is still there.
File:Heelston.JPG
  • Station Stones

Other features:

  • The Aubrey Holes
  • Y and Z holes

see also sun mythology, Reconstruction archaeology, archaeoastronomy