Научно-исследовательская работа "Стоунхендж. Для чего он был воздвигнут?"

Районная научно-практическая конференция обучающихся

«ШКОЛА – НАУКА – ВУЗ»

Stonehenge. For what purpose was it erected?

Стоунхендж. С какой целью он был воздвигнут?

Автор: Димитров Даниил Владимирович,

учащийся 10 класса МБОУ Новосельской СОШ

Вяземского района Смоленской области

Руководитель: Лахтеева Светлана Вячеславовна,

учитель английского языка МБОУ Новосельской СОШ

Вяземского района Смоленской области

г. Вязьма

2018 г.

Contents

I. Introduction. Stonehenge – a Ring of Large Stones pp 2-3

II. Main Body

II.1. About the Construction of Stonehenge pp 4-5

II.2. The Number of Stones pp 5-6

II.3. Who Has Built It? pp 6-7

II.4. Why Was It Built? The Main Versions pp 7-17 III. Conclusion pp 18-19 List of Literature and Internet Resources p 20

List of Words p21

Applications pp22-31

Аннотация

Димитров Д.В. Стоунхендж. С какой целью он был воздвигнут? –

г. Вязьма. Районная научно-практическая конференция «ШКОЛА-НАУКА-ВУЗ» , 2018. Проблемно-реферативная исследовательская работа посвящена анализу основных научных версий цели строительства Стоунхенджа, доисторического монументального каменного сооружения на территории Англии.

В работе исследуются 10 самых популярных версий назначения данного сооружения. Показан предполагаемый процесс строительства.

Большое место в работе занимает анализ точек зрения учёных разных времён: историков, археологов, астрономов. Анализируя данные книг британских и российских авторов, а также Интернет ресурсы, автор приходит к выводу о многоцелевом назначении и использовании Стоунхенджа на разных этапах его существования.

Annotation

Dimitrov D.V. Stonehenge. For what purpose was it erected? - Vyazma. District scientific and practical conference "SCHOOL-SCIENCE-HIGH SCHOOL", 2018. The problem-abstract research work is devoted to the analysis of the main scientific versions of the goal of the Stonehenge construction of Stonehenge, a prehistoric monumental stone structure on the territory of England.

The paperwork examines the 10 most popular versions of the purpose of this structure. The proposed construction process is shown.

An important place in the work is occupied by the analysis of the points of view, which scientists expressed in different times. They were historians, archaeologists, astronomers. Analyzing the data of the books of British and Russian authors, as well as Internet resources, the author comes to the conclusion about the multi-purpose appointment and use of Stonehenge at various stages of its existence.

Theses

In my opinion, Stonehenge is one of those attractions that is immediately recognizable like the Great Pyramid, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sydney Opera House.

One of the most famous landmarks in the UK, Stonehenge is regarded as a British cultural icon. The site and its surroundings were added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, 2 miles (3 km) west of Amesbury.

In general, scientists talk about the existence of 200 versions of the emergence of Stonehenge. Today, the most serious debate about the purpose of Stonehenge revolves around ten main theories. In my research work these basic versions are considered, and also the justification of the author's opinion on the purpose of creating Stonehenge is given.

Version 1. Astronomical Calendar?

In 1666 John Aubrey suggested that Stonehenge was built by the ancient Britons. And in 1965 Dr. Gerald Hawkins from Boston University, using computer analysis, received a clear scheme of solar and lunar orientations, which proved the astronomical significance of Stonehenge.

Version 2. Druids’ Temple?

One of the most ardent advocates of the Druidic theory was William Stukeley. The archaeologist believed that Stonehenge is the center of spirituality.

Version 3. A Sacred Hunting Ground?

The archeological evidence available shows that the site was indeed an ancient feasting and hunting ground.

Version 4. Unity Monument?

As at the period the monument was constructed, which was between 3000 B.C. and 2500 B.C., the British Isle experienced an unprecedented unification of their culture.

Version 5. Elite Cemetery? According to Galfrid Monmouth’s version, Stonehenge was to perpetuate the memory of four hundred and sixty Briton chiefs who were treacherously killed during peace negotiations by the Saxons who invaded the island. Version 6. Giant Bells?

According to some new theories, dolerites and sarsens in Stonehenge create exclusive, cleverly varied sounds very similar hollow metallic or wooden bells.

Version 7. Healing Site? In 2008 British archaeologists Tim Darvill and Geoffrey Wainwright suggested—on the basis of the Amesbury Archer that Stonehenge was used in prehistory as a place of healing.

Version 8. A “computer” to predict eclipses?

In 1963 American astronomer Gerald Hawkins proposed that Stonehenge had been constructed as a “computer” to predict lunar and solar eclipses.

Version 9. A Landing Pad?

A Danish author Erich von Däniken suggests that aliens had a role in the creation of Stonehenge. Though, some people believe that too.

Version 10. A Support for the Wooden Platform?

In the opinion of the historian and art critic from Great Britain Julian Spaulding, huge stone blocks served as a support for the wooden platform.

The scientist suggested that believers were gathered on the platform for religious rites. Thus, climbing on huge stones, ancient people became closer to the sky.

Based on the facts given above, the author comes to the conclusion that Stonehenge was not any kind of Roman Temple, and proper dating have shown that it must have been completed more than a thousand years prior to the roaming of the British Isles by the Druids.

It was not a constant monument, but a continuous one. The purpose of the monument itself was almost without doubt varied. 
Regardless of whether we learn who built it and why, it will continue to spark curiosity and imagination for centuries in the future.

Purpose: The purpose of my work is to study the versions of the reasons for the appearance of Stonehenge, the choice and the analysis of the most probable of them.

Research hypothesis: In different periods of the historical development of human society, Stonehenge performed different functions.

Tasks:

1. To acquire additional regional knowledge.

2. To enrich my lexical stock with new words and expressions.

3. To conduct an analysis of historical facts and track their interrelation in accordance with the purpose of the work and the hypothesis of the research work.

1. Introduction. Stonehenge – a Ring of Large Stones

In my opinion, Stonehenge is one of those attractions that is immediately recognizable like the Great Pyramid, the Eiffel Tower, and the Sydney Opera House.

To start with, it is one of the most famous historical mysteries of England. This monument, towering in proud seclusion above the grassy plain of Salisbury¹ in South England, has attracted the attention of archeologists, geologists, astronomers and thousands of tourists annually visiting excursions to one of England's most famous symbols. Nevertheless, there is still no single hypothesis of its origin and destination. In the scientific literature, there are many different theories of the emergence of Stonehenge, which are radically different from each other. It seems to me important to study these theories, analyze them and determine the most probable. In my research work these basic versions are considered, and also the justification of the author's opinion on the purpose of creating Stonehenge is given.

Stonehenge is nothing more than a ring of large stones, many of which have toppled over and broken over the years. The real draw of the site is not the stones, but the mystery behind them – the fact that no one knows exactly how or why the ring was built in the first place.

One of the most famous landmarks in the UK, Stonehenge is regarded as a British cultural icon. It has been a legally protected Scheduled Ancient Monument since 1882 when legislation to protect historic monuments was first successfully introduced in Britain. The site and its surroundings were added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in 1986. Stonehenge is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage; the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, 2 miles (3 km) west of Amesbury. It consists of a ring of standing stones, with each standing stone around 13 feet (4.0 m) high, 7 feet (2.1 m) wide and weighing around 25 tons. The stones are set within earthworks in the middle of the most dense complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age  monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.

As far as I know, ancient folklore holds that Stonehenge was created by King Arthur's wizard, Merlin², out of massive stones from Ireland that had been assembled there by giants. Others believe the stones were erected thousands of years ago by invaders from Denmark.

Today, the most serious debate about the purpose of Stonehenge revolves around two main theories. Some believe Stonehenge was a holy site, while others believe it was a scientific observatory. Still others believe the stones are the ruins of an ancient Roman temple. Could Stonehenge have been intended as a cemetery dedicated to an ancient ruling dynasty? A popular modern theory is that Stonehenge is a landing site for alien spacecraft!

In this paper, the 10 most popular theories of the goals of the Stonehenge construction are examined.

II. Main Body

II.1. About the Construction of Stonehenge

Archaeologists believe it was constructed from 3000 BC to 2000 BC. The surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC. Radiocarbon dating suggests that the first bluestones were raised between 2400 and 2200 BC, although they may have been at the site as early as 3000 BC.

The monument consists of two types of stones. The largest, known as "sarsen," reach a height of 9 meters and weigh about 25 tons. Historians believe that they were brought from the quarries of Marlborough Downs, which are 32 km to the north. Smaller in size stones are called "blue stones" because of the bluish tint during the rain. They weigh "only" up to 4 tons. They were imported, most likely, from several different places in western Wales at a distance of up to 225 km from the construction site.

Scientists have proved that Stonehenge was built in three stages.

І. 3050 BC. (5050 years ago) Ring ditch and a mound (handage).

ІІ. Around 2600 BC. (4600 years ago) In the center was erected a wooden structure.

III. 2400-1500 BC. (4,500-3500 years ago) A stone monument was erected, which was then altered and rebuilt for 1,000 years.

The largest blocks of the circle - the sarsen stones - were taken from the Marlborough hills, located 30 km from Stonehenge. Lesser stones (the so-called blue stones) were delivered from the mystical Pressel Mountains, located at 225 km - in Wales.

It is still unknown how ancient people managed to move them so far. Recent experiments show that a stone weighing one ton can drag a dozen people with wooden decks, but it is unclear whether this method was used by ancient builders. Another version - rafting on the water. Finally, there is a suggestion that during the last glacial period, the glaciers transferred these blue stones closer to the site of the Stonehenge construction, so they simply did not need to be transported such a long distance.

When you see it in photos, Stonehenge looks pretty big; pretty impressive. But, in real life? Well let's just say that you're likely to hear “I thought it'd be bigger”.

II.2. The Number of Stones

One of the most frequently asked questions about Stonehenge is: “How Many Stones Are In Stonehenge?”

82 - the total number of sarsen stones that were needed for the site (10

trilithon³uprights, 5 trilithon lintels, 30 circle uprights, 30 circle lintels, four Station Stones and 3 Slaughter Stones).

80 - the approximate number of bluestones that were required.

74 - the number of sarsen⁴ stones used to build the original stone circle and trilithons.

30 - the number of sarsen lintels that sat upon the uprights of the outer circle.

17 - the number of sarsen circle uprights that remain upright.

7 - the number of sarsen circle lintels that remain intact.

60 - the approximate number of bluestone uprights that formed the bluestone circle.

5 - the number of sarsen trilithons, arranged in a horseshoe at the centre of the stone circle.

The word “trilithon” comes from the Greek “three stones”. A trilithon consists of two upright stones and a horizontal lintel atop these. The tallest trilithon – the Great Trilithon – faced the enterance.

14 - the number of sarsen stones used for the trilithons (10 uprights and 4 lintels).

3 - the number of trilithon lintels that still sit atop their uprights.

2 - the number of trilithon lintels that lie broken on the ground.

4 - the number of station stones, placed around the edge of the enclosure.

6 - the number of the bluestones found to have distinctive shapes, with grooves and holes cut into them. These will have once formed trilithons or other distinctive structures.

2-3 - the number of stones believed to have sat across the entrance route to the monument. The one remaining stone from the entrance (the so-called 'slaughter stone') was originally upright.

83 - the total number of stones remaining at the Stonehenge site.

43 - the number of bluestones that remain at Stonehenge.

II.3. Who Has Built It?

In R. Castleden’s book “ The Making of Stonehenge” the three main assumptions are presented.

For a long time, scientists believed that Stonehenge was built by the Celts. However, today this version is refuted. Do not converge dating. The first Celtic archeological culture (Halstatta) appeared in the IX century BC. While officially adopted today the dating of the Stonehenge building is that the last stage of its construction falls on the XI century BC.

If not the Celts, then who has done it? Professor Michael Pierson (Sheffield University), head of the ten-year research Stonehenge Riverside Project and author of “Stonehenge: A Study of the Greatest Stone Age Mystery”, claims that the megalithic complex was built by ancient Britons, representatives of tribes who lived on the British Isles at the end of the Bronze Age, during the Neolithic . Today this is the most "working" version.

In the Middle Ages was popular legend, set out in the "History of the Britons" by Galfrid Monmouth. It consists in the fact that the megalithic complex was moved from Ireland by the magician Merlin. The legendary magician thus performed the will of Aurelius Ambrosi (King Arthur's uncle) about the perpetuation of 460 British leaders, treacherously killed by the Saxons during the negotiations. Since then, the Britons called this complex "Dance of the Giants".

As for me, I tend to the second assumption, since it seems to me the most believable.

II.4. Why Was It Built? The Main Versions

How many versions of the goals of the Stonehenge creation exist in the world? A.Yu.Nizovsky and N.N. Nepomnyashchy in their book "100 Great Secrets" call the number of 200. I’ll analyze the most popular ten of them.

Version 1. Astronomical Calendar?

In 1666 John Aubrey⁵ suggested that Stonehenge was built by the ancient Britons. Aubry personally drafted the site and drew attention to the ring of depressions located on the inside of the shaft and now known as "Aubrey's holes". Discovering that neither the Romans, nor the Saxons, nor the Danes built such monuments, Aubrey came to the conclusion that they "have a domestic origin." According to Aubrey, Stonehenge was created by Druids, known from the description of Roman sources. Druids are priests and poets of ancient Celtic peoples. In particular, he emphasizes that the Druids are very well versed in astronomy, for example, in the structure and motion of stars, the size of the Earth and the planets, various astronomical phenomena.

It has been around for many years. Many people have studied Stonehenge and many have found that the stones are mathematically placed to show when and eclipse might occur. "In favor of this solution - that the Aubrey holes were used as a computer are these facts: the number 56 is the smallest number that measures the swing of the moon with an over-all accuracy of better than 3 days, and lunar
cycles provide the only method of long-range eclipse prediction related
to the seasons of the year."So taking in to account that Stonehenge could predict eclipses another thought is that it was just used for predicting the full moon. The full moon meant new life, so perhaps they used Stonehenge for ceremonies to
worship new life. Seasons changed, and the people of British Isles had
no idea why all of a sudden the weather would begin to change and the
day’s length increase or decrease. That is why experts say that it was
used to predict the winter and summer solstice and the spring and fall
equinox.

At the end of the XIX century there were theories about the astronomical activity of the ancient Britons. So in 1965 Dr. Gerald Hawkins from Boston University, using computer analysis, received a clear scheme of solar and lunar orientations, which proved the astronomical significance of Stonehenge. He compiled a plan of various orientations and astronomical correspondences for individual elements of Stonehenge, and then entered calculations into the computer to see if they had any astronomical significance.

The fact that Stonehenge imitates a map of the sky (such as it was 4000 years ago) was proved in 1965 by Gerald Hawkins. But when by astronomers in 1998, with the help of computer technology, the original view of Stonehenge was recreated, the results obtained were discouraged. According to them, Stonehenge is an exact model of the solar system in the cross-section (according to ancient people, there are twelve planets in the Solar System), and the diameters of the Cretaceous Shaft and the Sarsen Ring have the same relation to each other as the diameters of the Earth and the Moon.

Version 2. Druids’ Temple?

Since the middle of the XVIII century, many scientists have studied it, in particular, Britain. One of the most ardent advocates of the Druidic theory was William Stueckley. It was he who wrote the book about the Druids and Stonehenge. The archaeologist believed that Stonehenge was the center of spirituality, where communication was made with the inner world of people and the universe.

In 1740, Dr. William Stueckley, famous for his contribution to the restoration of the Society of Lovers of Antiquity, which Jack I banned on suspicion of political intrigue, published his remarkable and fascinating work "Stonehenge - a temple returned to the British druids". He supported Aubrey’s theory with such energy and enthusiasm that, according to many scientists, the honor of further popularizing this idea belongs mainly to him. In addition, he already added one more striking detail to her. He stated that the Druids not only performed their rites at Stonehenge beyond doubt, but that they also worshiped the serpent there!

Every year on the early morning of June 21, thousands of pilgrims gather near Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice festival. This pagan holiday, dedicated to the longest day of the year, has existed for thousands of years. Participants in the celebration are dressed in bright clothes, and their heads are crowned with wreaths.

Version 3. A Sacred Hunting Ground?

Archeologists have proved that the areas surrounding the Stonehenge along the ancient migration route (auroch) served as a hunting ground for several thousands of years prior to the construction of the Stonehenge. The site is only 1.6 kilometers from Wiltshire, England and contains several proofs of human inhabitation like bones, tools, and burnt stones which archeologists said dated back to 3, 000 years ago. The site of Stonehenge is also said to contain some construction evidence that dates back to about 10, 000 years ago when some pine posts were gathered to raise one ancient structure. The archeological evidence available shows that the site was indeed an ancient feasting and hunting ground. There is a belief that the megaliths found on the site must have been built to commemorate the hunting and feasting days.

For the local residents of that period, hunting played an important role. The researchers found about 350 animal bones and 12 500 flint tools or fragments of them all a mile from Stonehenge. All findings date from 7,500 to 4,700 years BC. Apparently, these places were rich hunting grounds, which could also affect the fact that the plain was considered sacred.

Version 4.Unity Monument?

I personally think that it is one of the most interesting assumptions. It is a popular belief in some quarters that the Megaliths were built by the British to mark the beginning era of unity and peace. As at the period the monument was constructed, which was between 300 B.C. and 2500 B.C., the British Isles experienced an unprecedented unification of their culture. This was exemplified by the use of a uniformed pottery style across the entire region. Such a great project would have required the collaboration of everyone in the region for the project to be completed.

Stonehenge, a megalithic structure on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire⁶ (England), was erected as a religious and religious monument, symbolizing the union of the eastern and western tribes of prehistoric Britain after a long period of hostility and regional wars. Its constituent stones originate from different regions of England and Wales and symbolize tribal ancestors, revered by local communities that entered the era of the producing economy.

This conclusion was reached by a group that united archaeologists and anthropologists of Sheffield, Manchester, Southampton and Bournemouth universities, as well as University College London in the framework of a large interdisciplinary project on the study of Stonehenge in the context of the social and economic development of Britain in the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age (3000-2500) BC) Stonehenge Riverside Project (SRP).

In 1973 English archaeologist Colin Renfrew hypothesized that Stonehenge was the centre of a confederation of Bronze Age chiefdoms. Other archaeologists, however, have since come to view this part of Salisbury Plain as a point of intersection between adjacent prehistoric territories, serving as a seasonal gathering place during the 4th and 3rd millennia BC for groups living in the lowlands to the east and west.

Version 5.Elite Cemetery?

In the Middle Ages there was an opinion that the greatest miracle of Britain was the work of her greatest wizard, Merlin. The myth about the construction of the Stonehenge is by the court magician King Arthur has several options. The most popular version was the one written by the writer of the 12th century, Galfrid Monmouth, in his pseudo-chronicle, The History of the Britons. According to this version, Stonehenge was to perpetuate the memory of four hundred and sixty Briton chiefs who were treacherously killed during peace negotiations by the Saxons who invaded the island. Merlin allegedly established this grandiose memorial on the site of a treacherous murder in the reign of King Aurelius Ambrosia, Uncle Arthur.

There are also theories based on the assumption that Stonehenge was used for burial. Indeed, graves were found on the territory of the monument, but they were made much later than the construction of Stonehenge. For example, in the ditch a skeleton of a young man was found, dated by radiocarbon method as 780 -410 BC. Mike Parker Persson, professor of archeology at the University of Sheffield, reports that Stonehenge Riverside Archaeological Project stated that Stonehenge, from the very beginning of its existence to its heyday in the third millennium BC, was considered by the inhabitants of England as a territory for burial of the dead.

According to the publication of one scholar, the mystifying monument could have served as a burial site for the elite. Several skeletal fragments from about 63 persons have been excavated from the site, with the same proportion of men, women and infants. The burials according to archeological findings dates as far back as 3, 000 B.C. Some objects associated with the early men such as an incense bone and a mace head, were found on the site.

In 1998 Malagasy archaeologist Ramilisonina proposed that Stonehenge was built as a monument to the ancestral dead, the permanence of its stones representing the eternal afterlife.

Version 6. Giant Bells?

As I have recently read in P.Brown’s book “ Stonehenge. Mysteries of Megaliths”,

according to some new theories, dolerites⁷ and sarsens in Stonehenge create exclusive, cleverly varied sounds very similar hollow metallic or wooden bells. These instruments could have been used as a means of communication, or they could have been used as often as church bells are used today. There is nothing new about using rocks to create music; several other cultures have used lithophones–mostly giant Flintstones–such as xylophones which are known to produce very unique sounds.

As early as the 1920s, archaeologists discovered that many of Stonehenge's stones were mined in the Welsh Presley hills, and then were specially transported to the construction over a distance of more than 320 km. But why the architects of the prehistoric building needed Welsh stones - still remained a mystery.

In a study conducted by the Royal Royal College of Art in London, thousands of fragments of rocks along the Karn Menin ridge were studied, and many of them turned out to be "sonorous" - they made pleasant sounds when struck. The percentage of "ringing" rocks at Karn Menin is very large. These stones sound like real bells, making sounds of different heights. In fact, they can be played on a xylophone. - Paul Devereux, London Royal College of Art The study also involved professional percussionists who gave a real concert on Welsh stones.

The study also involved professional percussionists, who gave a real concert on Welsh stones. Paul Devereux is sure he found an explanation for why he had to drag huge slabs for 320 km to Stonehenge. They are most likely used as a musical instrument.

Version 7. Healing Site?

Most of the skeletons found on the site had marks of either injury or illness, which led Geoffrey Wainwright and Timothy Darvill to come up with a proposal that the site was an ancient healing site. Lending support to that claim, over the ages, most of the Stonehenge's bluestones have vanished from the monument, probably by some long-lost pilgrims seeking some protection and healing powers from the site.

In 2008 British archaeologists Tim Darvill and Geoffrey Wainwright suggested—on the basis of the Amesbury Archer⁸, an Early Bronze Age skeleton with a knee injury, excavated 3 miles (5 km) from Stonehenge—that Stonehenge was used in prehistory as a place of healing. However, analysis of human remains from around and within the monument shows no difference from other parts of Britain in terms of the population’s health.

Version 8. A “Computer” to Predict Eclipses?

According to another opinion, Stonehenge was a kind of “an ancient computer” .In 1963 American astronomer Gerald Hawkins proposed that Stonehenge had been constructed as a “computer” to predict lunar and solar eclipses; other scientists also attributed astronomical capabilities to the monument. Most of these speculations, too, have been rejected by experts.

Gerald Hawkins proved that Stonehenge is an ancient observatory that allows calculations of the positions of the moon, the sun, stars at different times of the year, it was used to determine the timing of the beginning of work in the field, to predict eclipses: lunar and solar. With the help of stone "loopholes", or "visors" it was possible to determine the day of the summer solstice, then the Sun rose just above the heel stone. From this day the annual countdown was started, until the event was repeated. And this meant the end of the year.

The narrow openings of the triliths helped to focus the view, which then hit a certain point, more accurately the opening of the outer circle of stones. The scientist established that through one of the triliths it is possible to observe the sunrise on the day of the winter solstice, through the other two - on the contrary, sunset during the summer and winter solstice.

The two remaining triliths were intended for observations of the moon. Through one trilith to different "gates" of the outer circle of stones, one can see sunsets of the Moon, remote from the ecliptic at the maximum distance to the north and south. Hawkins argued that in ancient times, the eclipses of the Moon and the Sun could have been expected when the Moon was rising exactly above the Heelstone⁹ in the winter. But lunar eclipses could occur in the autumn days. This happened when the moon rose exactly above a certain stone of the outer circle. The period through which the Moon will again be in this place, totals 18 years. The next cycle is 36 years, the next - 54 years.

Version 9. A Landing Pad?

Recently, the popular version is the unearthly origin of Stonehenge - supposedly here "aliens" put their hand. And many it seems quite plausible - so incredible is the fact that such a structure could be built by ancient people.

A Danish author Erich von Däniken suggests that aliens had a role in the creation of Stonehenge. Though, some people believe that too. This very large circle might be constructed by aliens on Earth long ago. Crop circles, commonly believed to be extra-terrestrial in origin, appear frequently near Stonehenge. Ley lines¹⁰, possibly magnetic lines in the earth that connect "places of power" are often associated with aliens as well. Also, given the huge size of the stones, moving them over 100 miles would be a near-impossible task. Many doubt if people living 5000 years ago either had the technology or if they were able to have the incredible strength required to transport the stones from the Welsh mountain range to Salisbury Valley, in England. It leads to the theory that it was built by aliens. Thus, concluding the Stonehenge theory of the alien landing pad.

Other theories surrounding Stonehenge have suggested that Stonehenge might have a more remarkable origin. Aliens might be a right answer to why was Stonehenge built. To some people in the 70s, Stonehenge must have been a sort of landing pad for aliens.

To be fair to such people, suffice it to say that archeological evidence like laser guns, jetpacks, etc. are yet to be excavated.

Recent studies have discovered amazing facts. With the help of special equipment, scientists managed to prove that the stones of Stonehenge have anomalous magnetization - which in all respects coincides with the similar properties of the concrete coating on the launch pad of the Baikonur cosmodrome. That is, the ancient megalithic complex served to launch ships of a certain stellar civilization? Especially since next to it uncovered giant circles that could well have been identifying signs.

Version 10. A Support for the Wooden Platform?

The historian and art critic from Great Britain Julian Spaulding has surfaced a new theory about why Stonehenge was built - one of the most mysterious monuments of the world. In his opinion, huge stone blocks served as a support for the wooden platform, writes The Guardian.

The scientist suggested that believers were gathered on the platform for religious rites. Thus, climbing on huge stones, ancient people became closer to the sky.

The historian himself considers all past theories to be erroneous. "We looked at Stonehenge wrong: from the ground level, as it was in the 20th century, but we never thought about how and what the ancients thought," he said.

Spaulding drew attention to the fact that peoples who did not know about the existence of each other independently came to the idea of ​​building pyramids. In Africa, they were built by the Egyptians, in America - the Maya and the Aztec Indians, in Asia - by the Chinese ... Indians brought human sacrifices on the pyramid tops, begging forgiveness from the cruel gods. The Chinese and Egyptians acted as a portal to the afterlife, through which the deceased ruler could get into the company of the gods and be shut up for a living word.

Most likely, Stonehenge was a version of the similarity of the round "pyramid". The stones served as a support for a wooden platform with a diameter of 30 meters. A few more floors were built over it. This "skyscraper" was crowned with an altar. The ancient English believed that in this case the god above would be better to hear them.

To prove his point of view, Spaulding cites examples of monuments of ancient civilizations of China, Peru, and Turkey, which also were on the days and had the shape of a circle, reflecting the motion of celestial bodies. "In ancient times, no spiritual rites were performed on earth, the Pharaoh of Egypt and the Emperor of China were always carried through the air, like the Pope."¹¹ It was believed that the feet of holy people should not touch the ground, "the historian explained. Colleagues of the historian have so far been skeptical about his theory, without seeing any convincing evidence in it.

In addition, the Salisbury Plain itself was considered sacred by the ancient inhabitants long before the construction of Stonehenge. More than 10,000 years ago three large wooden pillars were installed on this site, which were totem poles.

1. Conclusion

In conclusion, I’d like to say that in the picture of John Conctable, written by him from nature in the territory of Stonehenge in 1835, we will see piles of dumped stones. This is how the legendary megalithic complex looked up to the beginning of the 20th century. Stonehenge underwent a serious restoration. The first stage was held in 1901. The reconstruction continued until 1964. When it became known, it gave rise to attacks by the public and the press. In fact, the complex was rebuilt anew. Restorers with the help of cranes put megaliths and lintels, strengthened the stones. Stonehenge is no longer the same, but it's not customary to mention it. Otherwise, this most famous megalithic complex did not provide an influx of 1 million tourists per year.

Everything outlined above could have been nothing other than mere speculations, however, we know one thing for sure; Stonehenge was not any kind of Roman Temple, and proper dating have shown that it must have been completed more than a thousand years prior to the roaming of the British Isles by the Druids.

The late Professor Richard Atkinson, Stonehenge authority, once replied when asked about the purpose of this monument made a true and pertinent statement that lives on. 

He said, “There is one short, simple and perfectly correct answer. We do not know and we shall probably never know”. Perhaps one of the reasons for this uncertainty is that Stonehenge evolved. It was not a constant monument, but a continuous one.
In my opinion, this provision is the most reasonable and plausible explanation of the mystery of Stonehenge. Whilst this certainly meant that the area’s importance was constant, the purpose of the monument itself was almost without doubt varied. 
Only one thing is certain about Stonehenge: it's an architectural marvel that will fascinate people for thousands of years to come. Regardless of whether we learn who built it and why, it will continue to spark curiosity and astonish people for centuries in the future.

Millions of tourists visited Stonehenge. It can be called one of the first monuments of human thought.

The story of Stonehenge can be ended with an interesting fact. It turns out that on the Salisbury Plain this ancient megalith is not the only one. To the north near Avebury was discovered a huge circle, which consists of vertical dug stone slabs. Inside it are two more circles, laid out with stones. A large circle intersects (as it were crosses out) the alley, also laid out with stones. The individual stones of this ancient complex even surpass the size of the "giants" of Stonehenge.

Another construction is an earthen hill erected by ancient builders. Its height is 45 meters. The shape is conical, even now, after so much time, you can see huge steps. The mound is called Silbury Hill¹² and is the largest artificial mound in Europe. Silbury Hill and the complex in Avebury¹³ were built 2,000 years before Stonehenge. However, they are related. If three "points" are connected, then an equilateral triangle is obtained (the side is 20 kilometers). There is an idea of ​​a single whole, and with it the question of purpose. It is another mystery.

List of Literature and Internet Resources

1. Castleden R. The Making of Stonehenge. L.: Routledge, 1993;

2. Malone C., Stone N. Stonehenge. Bernard Oxford University Press, 2002;

3. Браун П. Стоунхендж. Загадки мегалитов. - М: Гардарики,2010;

4. Хокинс Дж., Уайт Д. Разгадка тайны Стоунхенджа. – М.: Вече, 2004;

5. Низовский А.Ю., Непомнящий Н.Н., 100 великих тайн. – М.: Вече, 2002;

6. http://www.celtica.ru;

7. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk;

8. http://www.livelib.ru;

9. https://ru.wikipedia.org;

10. http://www.youtube.com/watch

List of Words

1. a burial mound – могильный холм, курган;

2. erroneous   [ɪˈrəʊnɪəs]adj -ложный, ошибочный;

3. a lintel – перемычка;

4. method of long-range eclipse prediction  [ɪˈklɪps] n - метод прогнозирования дальнего (нескорого) затмения;

5. pagan holiday  [ˈpeɪgən] adj – языческий праздник;

6. to perpetuate  [pəˈpɛtjueɪt] vt – увековечить;

7. plausible  [ˈplɔːzɪbl] adj – правдоподобный;

8. seclusion  [sɪˈkluːʒən] n – замкнутость, уединение;

9. a tribal ancestor  [ˈtraɪbl  ˈænsɪstə^r]  – племенной предок;

10. to worship [ˈwɜːʃɪp] - поклоняться

Applications

Stonehenge on the map of England

A British cultural icon

83 – the total number of stones remaining at the Stonehenge site

How was it built?

John Aubrey (1626—1697)

William Stueckley  ( 1687 — 1765)

A Sacred Hunting Ground?

A Unity Monument?

Galfrid Monmouth (1100 - 1155)

Giant Bells?

Tim Darwill and Geoffrey Wainwright

Gerald Hawkins (1928 – 2003)

A Landing Pad?

Gerald Hawkins’ book about Stonehenge

John Constable. Stonehenge. 1835

The Summer Solstice Festival

Not a Constant Monument, but a Continuous One…

1^ Salisbury (various pronunciations,^[a] but locally /ˈsɔːzbri/, SAWZ-bree) is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England, and the only city within the county. It is the third-largest settlement in the county, after Swindon and Chippenham, with a population of 40,302.^[1] It is about 20 miles (32 km) from Southampton and 30 miles (48 km) from Bath.

2^ Merlin (Welsh: Myrddin) is a legendary Welsh figure best known as the wizard or warlock featured in Arthurian legend and medieval Welsh poetry. 

3^ A trilithon (or trilith) is a structure consisting of two large vertical stones (posts) supporting a third stone set horizontally across the top (lintel)

4^ Sarsen stones are sandstone blocks found in quantity in the United Kingdom on Salisbury Plain and the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire; in Kent;

5^ John Aubrey FRS (/ˈɔːbri/; 12 March 1626 – 7 June 1697), was an English antiquary, natural philosopher and writer.

6^ Wiltshire (/ˈwɪltʃər/ or /-tʃɪər/) is a county in South West England with an area of 3,485 km2 (1,346 square miles).

7^ An intrusive rock,  dolerite, with an excess of quartz. Dolerite is similar in composition to basalt, which is eruptive (from volcanoes)

8^ The Amesbury Archer is an early Bronze Age man whose grave was discovered during excavations at the site of a new housing development

9^ The Heelstone is a single large block of sarsen stone standing within the Avenue outside the entrance of Stonehenge

10^ Ley lines /leɪ laɪnz/ are apparent alignments of land forms, places of ancient religious significance or culture, often including man-made structures

11^ Malone C., Stone N. Stonehenge. Bernard Oxford University Press, 2002, p. 179

12^ Silbury Hill is a prehistoric artificial chalk mound near Avebury in the English county of Wiltshire. It is part of the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites UNESCO World Heritage Site. At 39.3 metres (129 ft) high, it is the tallest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe^] and one of the largest in the world; similar in size to some of the smaller Egyptian pyramids of the Giza Necropolis

13^ Avebury (/ˈeɪvbri/) is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles, around the village of Avebury in Wiltshire, in southwest England

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