Stonehenge: the Legendary Stones

Knowing the history of any country you visit widens your outlook and helps you understand its culture and customs.

Stonehenge

The Iberians

Great Britain has a long and rich history. About five thousand years ago the British Isles were inhabited by the Iberians tribes. Little is known about these early dwellers of the islands. Judging to the remains of their weapons, tools and dwellings, scientists say the Iberians could smooth various stones with sharp edges.

Stonehenge

The ability of Iberian people to work with the stone connects the Iberian period with a number of huge stone circles standing in different parts of a present-day Britain. The most famous circle of stones is known as Stonehenge. The stone circle dates back to 3000-2000 BCE. Upright stones, standing in groups, reach 8.5 meters high. Joined by heavy flat stones on top, which weigh about 7 tons, the standing stones represent a mysterious prehistoric site.

Location of Stonehenge

Located about 130 km southwest of London, on England’s Salisbury Plain, Stonehenge has embarrassed scientists as well as common travellers for centuries.

Stonehenge

Use of Stonehenge

Lots of legends have surrounded Stonehenge. Some think that Druids used the spot for holding pagan rites. Others believe that stone circles served for sun worship, assuming that they had been deliberately set so their axes pointed at the sun on the horizon at the summer solstice. Stonehenge might have been used as a burial site for the early British kings assassinated by invaders. The original purpose is still a mystery.

Certainly if you are not a devoted archeologist or a history-lover, Stonehenge may occur not very exciting for you. However, it’s better to see something once than to hear about it a hundred of times. Thanks!