Stonehenge2 Essay Example

Stonehenge were sourced from the Preseli Mountains and brought to the area during the Plyoscene period, approximately 650,000 years ago. Most stone circles in Britain, Ireland, and Brittany are made using local stones from distances no greater than seven or eight kilometers. However, at Stonehenge, a mix of good, bad, and medium quality bluestones were found. Evidence suggests that good bluestones were already present in the vicinity of Stonehenge prior to its construction. This indicates that a glacier may have transported them there instead of humans deliberately selecting only the best stones (Audbrey Baul 78). Stonehenge has an intricate arrangement of stones thought to be influenced by celestial movements such as the moon and sun. It potentially served as a temple or an astronomer's tool for observing these celestial movements (Witcombe 34). Despite its long construction period, there are various theories about its purpose.In the 18th century, William Stukeley, an antiquarian, observed the sunrise in June and concluded that Stonehenge could be a temple for the Druids. Despite its waning popularity, this theory still influences the interpretation of Stonehenge as having religious significance. Another viewpoint, presented by Sir Norman Lockyer, a British astronomer in the 20th century, suggests that Stonehenge was a sun temple used for Celtic festivities. However, Witcombe asserts that it may be presumptuous to view Stonehenge solely as a temple or with religious qualities. Its unique structure sets it apart from houses or halls and implies its sacred nature. Additionally, some believe that people desired to be buried near Stonehenge, further highlighting its spiritual importance and concerns about the afterlife (Hawkins 68). Another mid-20th-century theory proposes that Stonehenge functioned as an astronomical

calendar marking lunar and solar alignments. The main monument contains four stones known as "Station Stones" thought to have played a role in astronomical observations. These stones form a rectangle within the surrounding ditch and bank and are believed to indicate moonrise, moonset, sunrise, and sunset (Aubrey; Baul; Hawkins; Lawson; Witcombe).