The greatest historical mystery is Stonehenge. The unusual stone circle located in contemporary Wiltshire, one of the most well-known sights in Britain, continues to baffle both historians and visitors. These are 10 things about Stonehenge that you can’t miss.
1 - They're referred to as "ringing rocks."
The peculiar acoustic qualities of the monument's stones—which, when struck, make a loud clanging sound—probably explain why anyone bothered to move them such a great distance. Such rocks were thought to have therapeutic properties in some prehistoric cultures. The Maenclochog actually means "ringing rock."
2 - Stone is used to make it in two different types.
Sarsen stones and bluestones, which together comprise the smaller inner stones, are indeed the two distinct kinds of stones utilized at Stonehenge. Sandstone, known as "sarsen stones," can be found in the vicinity, around 20 miles from the location. Yet, the bluestones come from Wales's Preseli Hills in the southwest, which are more than 140 miles away.
3 - Its construction took 1500 years.
While there are still many unanswered issues regarding the who, what, and why of Stonehenge's creation, researchers have a good understanding of when the enormous monument was constructed. The earliest components were created circa 3000 BCE when a field's ditch was constructed to create a circular enclosure. By 2500 BCE, the first trademark stones began to appear, and bluestone construction, repositioning, and additional hole digging may have continued until about 1500 BCE.
4 - Previously, there was a cemetery at Stonehenge.
Stonehenge's original intent is still a mystery. When the very first rocks were carried to the location, according to anthropologists who have visited there, it was used as a burial site for corpses. The 56 pits at the location are referred to as Aubrey holes. According to legend, they served as the final resting place for at least 64 Neolithic individuals.
5 - More than 50,000 bone fragments from Stonehenge have been discovered by scientists.
Remarkably, despite the fact that they disintegrated into numerous pieces, DNA testing suggests that just 63 people are responsible for them. Subsequent analysis of the bones revealed that the deceased's remains weren't immediately buried but instead burned before being interred. The deceased did not reside in the Stonehenge region prior to their deaths, according to research on soil samples from the neighborhood and other sources. Equal numbers of men and women, ranging in age from infants to adults, had bodies there.
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6 - The manner of the stones' movement is still a mystery.
How the huge rocks traveled such a long distance and ended up at Stonehenge is one of the major mysteries. The bluestones measure between 2 and 5 metric tonnes individually, compared to the typical salt stone's weight of 25 metric tonnes. There are many explanations for how these stones got to Stonehenge, one of which is that many bluestones were transported by glaciers. The most plausible explanation is that people moved them over land and through a system of waterways.
7 - The stones of Stonehenge cannot be touched by visitors.
The High Court's 1985 order to restrict access to the site actually precedes this. To reduce human activity's impact on the stones, authorities roped them off in 1977. Visitors must instead maintain a specific distance from the stones.
8 - Stonehenge was first documented in the 12th century.
According to legend, the stone circle was first mentioned in writing by historian and adventurer Henry Huntingdon in a passage from 1130 CE. Stonehenge, according to him, was made up of enormous stones that were arranged to resemble entrances. It appeared as though the doorways were placed on other doorways. He stated his surprise and inability to understand why or how such enormous stones had been hoisted so high.
9 - Stonehenge is adjacent to two roads.
Either the A344 in the north or the A303 in the south would be the best routes to take if you wanted to visit Stonehenge. Many people have criticized their presence because of the negative effects of traffic, such as acid rain created by automobile exhaust that could harm Stonehenge. This ultimately resulted in the closure of the A344 in 2013.
10 - Several significant stones from Stonehenge III still exist.
The sole piece of stonework surrounding the main entryway is the Slaughter Stone. The Station Stones, which previously formed a square between them and stood on the inner border of Stonehenge's bank, are another example. Now, just two of these stones are visible. Then there is Stonehenge Avenue, a series of banks and ditches that extend 3 kilometers in the direction of the Avon River.