Stonehenge Research Paper

Thesis Statement: The Stonehenge is a complex work of art; as it has been built over different periods of time representing wide range of ideas and thoughts. It is a monument that encapsulates the identity of a collective society of an era. It portrays the belief and value system, status, faith, relationship with the supreme being (god), and technological knowledge of the citizens of a society that is associated with the making of the Stonehenge. The large span of time and ambiguity of the society related to the Stonehenge has made most archeological surveys uncertain and thus, creating a mystery about, why was a monument containing, just stones weighing thousands of tones, in a relatively isolated area built? What was the motivations and purpose behind building it? And, how all these elements give an account of the civilization existing around the area.

A Burial Ground: According to a study by archaeologists back in 2013, Stonehenge served as a ‘giant burial ground’ [15]. After working at the site for years, Professor Mike Parker Pearson led an excavation and study into the 50,000 bone fragments belonging to 63 bodies buried around the site. This study uncovered not only uncovered that Stonehenge was built around 2500 BC rather than the previously thought 2700 BC, we now have evidence that the first monument’s (smaller stones [bluestones]) purpose was to serve as a graveyard for a community of what where known as elite families. Research on the sexing of the remains has told us children were buried and that the number of women almost matches those of men. Professor Parker Pearson spoke about the use of DNA extraction on the remains and he said: “At the moment the answer is no to extracting DNA, which might tell us more about these individuals and what the relationship was between them – but who knows in the future?”

Although Stonehenge and the Pyramids are both marvels of the ancient world, the differ from each other in many ways. While the construction for both began around the same time period – construction for Stonehenge began around 3100 BCE (Dr. Senta German) while the pyramids began around 2580 BCE (The Great Pyramid of Giza) – the time spent building Stonehenge far exceeded the time spent building the Pyramids. Unlike the Pyramids, Stonehenge was built in three phases. The first phase of construction began “when a great circular ditch about six feet deep was dug with a bank of dirt within it about 360 feet in diameter, with a large entrance to the northeast and a smaller one to the south” (Dr. Senta German). Within this ditch, known as a henge, were 56 pits, known as Aubrey holes filled with either upright bluestones or upright wooden beams, whose original purpose is unknown. The second phase began approximately 100-200 years later and involved a circle of upright wooden posts in the center of this henge. More upright posts were also erected near the northeast and southern entrances. During this phase, the site of Stonehenge was used for burials; “at least 25 of the Aubrey holes were emptied and reused to hold cremation burials and another 30 cremation burial pits were dug into the ditch of the henge and in the eastern portion within the henge enclosure” (Dr. Senta German). During the third and final stage, occurring 400-500 years later, Stonehenge was completely remodeled. The central wooden beams from stage two

The Stonehenge placement was in Salisbury Plain, not far from the town of Amesbury, Wiltshire. The work of art was made up of various things including earth, timber, and stone structures. This work of art was remodeled and revised over more than 1400 years. In order to build the master piece, it had to be done in phases. Phase I is where the beginning of the construction started. They made a large circle that was surrounded by ditch then following a bank going inwards to the 56 Aubrey holes that would hold wooden posts, Phase II, the Aubrey holes eventually didn’t hold post but they became filled, some with cremation deposits. Phase III, consisted of adding the stone structure which were called the Bluestones that were placed in Q and R holes, the Sarsen Circle was made with trilithons

Nearly every writer has had new theories about the Stonehenge. Over the years, secrets have been discovered. Archaeologist digs have discovered a lot about Stonehenge. But, we can only guess at how these configurations were used. We can only wonder as to the ceremonies performed around the great stones. Besides, we can only hypothesize as to why Stonehenge was ever constructed. The stones stand over the Salisbury Plane. They stand and have stood for thousands of years. Scientist may never know all the answers to the questions about Stonehenge. Until researches can outlook the footsteps of the people of Stonehenge, we will never answer all of the questions and mysteries surrounding it. Still, the great silent stones dare us to unravel its

Over a span of 2,000 years, monuments have been added to Stonehenge. While most are buried today, they are still visible and well preserved. Stonehenge’s features include the Aubrey Holes, 350 burial mounds, Cursus, Woodhenge, Durrington Walls Henge, Stonehenge Avenue, and West Amesbury Henge. The Aubrey Holes were the first monuments in Stonehenge, built around 3,000 BCE. The Aubrey Holes were 56 pits inside of a circular enclosure formed by a bank and a ditch. Its main purpose was to store cremated ashes of dead bodies. After the Aubrey Holes were made, bluestones and sarsens were dragged from long distances to construct the circular stone monument. The 350 burial mounds were long barrows meant to cremate and bury the dead. The Cursus, built from 3600 to 3400 BCE, were two long earthwork enclosures. Both Woodhenge and Durrington Walls Henge were timber circle monuments built in 2,300 and 2,500 BCE, respectively. Stonehenge Avenue was an ancient road that lead to Stonehenge monument and was built from 2,500 to 1,700 BCE. Finally, West Amesbury Henge was a stone circle monument built in 2,400

The Elgin Marbles is the common name for an extensive collection of the Ancient Greek sculpture which has been on display in the British Museum since the early-1800s. The collection includes 75 meters (247 feet) of the original 160-metre (524-foot) frieze from the Parthenon temple in Athens. The frieze is the highly decorative section above the columns in classical Greek architecture. The collection is controversial because of its namesake the seventh Earl of Elgin removed the treasures from Greece with the permission of the Ottomans, who occupied Greece from the mid-15th century until 1821. For decades, the Greeks have called for the priceless artifacts’ return, but the British Museum defends its ownership as legitimate.

Stonehenge was built during three distinct periods. Each took centuries to built, its unknown why each stage ended abruptly

The Stonehenge is a distinctive monumental stone that appeared in the late Neolithic period. It is located in Salisbury, White shire, England. The artifact is believed to have been built between 3000 and 1500 BCE. The artifact has artificially shaped stones arranged in a post and lintel

In the Middle Ages, it was speculated that Stonehenge was built by “Merlin, a legendary magician of Kiang Arthur” (Cothren). However ,one of the most famous theories about Stonehenge is that it was a very important calendar designed to keep track of time and important events like “early agricultural schedule” (Cothren). Some historians believe that it is no coincidence that the sun can be seen rising directly above Stonehenge. Moreover, new findings has also immerged that Stonehenge was the “site of ceremonies linked to death and burials”

Archaeological research has undergone stunning developments since the birth of the discipline; from its origins as mere antiquarianism, Archaeology’s aims and methods have developed with time: excavations have become more and more organised and precise, with a great focus on the study of stratigraphy and the careful documentation of findings and their locations. At the same time, what archaeologists aim to achieve from the study of material remains has changed, from its early focus on dating and classifying artefacts to using material culture as a means to understand the way people in the past lived and how their societies were organised. This subject encompasses many different time periods, from the earliest ancestors of modern human beings

No place has generated so much speculation and wild theories as the standing stones of Stonehenge. After traveling for miles through the rolling hills and plains of the English countryside the sight of this unusual structure made me gasp. A walk around it only provoked more strange feelings. There's a sense that this is something very important. For over 5000 years it has stood silent vigil over the

The “who’s,” “how’s,” and “why’s” behind this majestic monument are based on many (usually conflicting) myths, guesstimates, and theories. As a result, we have no definite answers for the probing questions about Stonehenge’s existence. However, each theory grants the Neolithic monument its character and mystique, as well as society’s best guesses as to its true origin and purpose. Therefore, I shall proceed to discuss both the fantastical and probable theories behind the mystery of Stonehenge.

Stonehenge was a stone structure established a long time ago by civilizations before the Druid age. More than 4,000 years ago, the people of the Neolithic period supposedly decided to build a massive monument using earth, timber and eventually, stones.They placed it high on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England about 137 kilometres southwest of London. The purpose to build Stonehenge still remains a mystery. Stonehenge could have been a temple, an astronomical calendar, or a guide to the heavens. Stonehenge acts as a prehistoric timepiece, allowing us to speculate on what it would have been like during the Neolithic Period, and who could have built this megalithic wonder.

Stonehenge, erected around 2500-1600 B.C.E. by tens of thousands of labor workers, represents the peaceful coming together of east and west Britain. It is thought to be a cultural, spiritual, historical, and a sacrificial center. Many experts believe Stonehenge may have also been a burial site for the elite. Located in Wiltshire, United Kingdom, it is believed that 3 separate tribes are responsible from building what is known as Stonehenge. The Windmill people around 2500 B.C.E., the Beaker people around 2000 B.C.E., and the Wessex people around 1600 B.C.E. Today, Stonehenge is the most famous megalithic site in the world, attracting more than 800,000 visitors. Stonehenge uses color, material, and shape, as well as pattern, balance, and emphasis, in order