The stone structure at Salisbury in the UK is one of the most famous and mysterious ancient sites in the world. It’s an archaeological wonder, and people have been visiting it for centuries to unlock all its secrets. Even today, after all these years of study, there are still many unanswered questions about this megalithic monument.
Some people believe that it was originally a temple or place of worship. Others think that it may have been used as a burial ground or for astronomical purposes. Archaeologists have managed to uncover many of its secrets, but everyone who visits likes to come up with their own theory for why it was built.
If you’re interested in history, then a visit to this site is definitely worth your time. But aside from that, why else should you visit the structure?
The Mystery is Compelling
The circle at Stonehenge is one of the most famous and people from all over the world feel its mystery.
Constructed over 4,000 years ago, no one knows for sure why it was built or what its original purpose was. Theories abound, but the true meaning may never be known – we can’t exactly ask the builders! Although the construction of the henge may be established and relatively simple, how it was used and what it meant to the people that lived around it, perhaps even those further afield, can still only be speculated.
Look at The Structure
Yes, you can look at the structure in photos or vlogs, but only up close can you see how amazing it is.
Indeed, tours of the site break down its construction into 3 stages. The first was based around an earthwork structure, which looked like a ditch. Next, there is good evidence that timber arrangements were fixed into the ground and then, the stones were fixed in place.
Not too complicated really, but when you consider there is evidence of 6 building stages between 3000 and 1520 BCE (not to mention that the specific types of rocks used weren’t local to the area), the level of engineering and organisation needed as well as the importance of the site across multiple generations and local powers – it shows how incredible and complex society was in prehistory.
The Religious Aspect
It’s true that no one knows what this structure is for or why it was built. But there is evidence that the structure (along with others built at the time) lines up with the solstices, with the sun’s rays during these periods being the axes of symmetry in the structure. As mentioned above, the importance of the site across thousands of years indicates a cultural connection with the site and quite often that relates to some form of religious or power centred aspect to a society.
There Are Other Artefacts
Within the visitor centre you can see some examples of the other artifacts that have been found at the site, evidence for how it was used, built and some of the large feasts that took place.
There are also many parts of the landscape around which are connected to the stone structure – the importance and use of the site wasn’t just restricted to the stones. When walking around this area, you can see how connected everything around it is and in the landscape that it is in.
