Opposing viewpoints on Stonehenge

¶ … Stonehenge, an unsolved mystery in England [...] opposing viewpoints on who possibly built it, why they did, and what the site was used for. Stonehenge is one of the most famous ancient archaeological sites in the world. Many believe it holds religious significance, especially for the Druids, while others believe it was a sort of "sky map" that showed the positions of the sun and moon. It is truly one of history's unsolved mysteries. Humanity may never know the truth about Stonehenge, but it will always command respect and awe from anyone lucky enough to visit it.

Stonehenge was built on the Salisbury Plain in Southern England. It lies about eight miles north of the town of Salisbury. Just about everyone is familiar with the look of Stonehenge - giant boulders moved to the site and arranged in a circle, with long boulders placed on top of the upright stones to form a type of lintel. However, there is more to Stonehenge than this famous image of upright stones. Stonehenge actually encompasses several different sections of building and development, from the ditch (now almost entirely filled in with silt) that surrounds the area to the bank rising up from the remains of the ditch and the Aubrey Holes and cemetery at the site. Almost all of the remains at Stonehenge are arranged in concentric circles, leading from the outside edge of the area to the center (Atkinson 6-16). Thus, there is much more to Stonehenge than the upright stones, and some of this other evidence could give clues to Stonehenge's real purpose.

Who built Stonehenge? While many people believe the Druids built Stonehenge, there are other theories, as well. It is known that Stonehenge, like many of the great gothic cathedrals, was completed in several stages, which could have ranged over hundreds of years. Stonehenge has been divided into three separate building periods - I, II, and III, and each period shows different building techniques and accomplishments. The first encompasses the ditch and bank that make up the very outer circle of Stonehenge. The second period includes the two inner circles of bluestones and the "Avenue" leading to the site. The third period is divided into sections, and comprises the remainder of the building on the site.

Perhaps the biggest mystery surrounding Stonehenge is how the stones were brought to the Salisbury area. Most of the bluestones used in the building originated in Wales, which is quite a distance from Southern England. Author Castleden comments, "Precisely how eighty-five bluestones became available to people living far away on Salisbury Plain in 2150 BC is just one of the great unsolved mysteries of the Stonehenge story" (Castleden 95). This mystery has never been solved either, and continues to baffle scientists who wonder how the stones were transported, why the builders went so far away for the stones, and how they discovered them in the first place.

Archaeologists have dated Stonehenge to the second century B.C., and they know several nomadic cultures entered Britain during this time. Many scientists believe that Stonehenge I was built by the Secondary Neolithic culture in Britain, while succeeding henges were built by the Beaker cultures. These cultures (and there are several) used distinctive pottery cups for drinking vessels, which is how they received their names (Atkinson 154). Even author Atkinson notes that giving the Beaker cultures credit for erecting Stonehenge II is random. Scientists know the Beakers were active in the area at the time, and they had the tools to build the henge, but in fact, they cannot be absolutely certain it was the Beakers who built the henge. In addition, many scientists believe it was members of the Wessex culture that completed the henge with Stonehenge III.

Many people believe the Druids built Stonehenge, and used it for religious sacrifices as well as a type of calendar. Author Atkinson notes, "There is, of course, no warrant at all for supposing that the Druids had anything to do with Stonehenge" (Atkinson 171). In fact, the Ancient Order of Druids was not organized until 1781 in Britain, and did not begin worshipping at Stonehenge until 1905 (Bender et al. 126). Thus, it seems highly unlikely ancient Druids built the henge. This should dispel this common myth, but many people still believe the Druids were responsible for Stonehenge.

It is interesting to note that Stonehenge is not the only "henge" in Britain. In fact, there are numerous henges, or circular banks with a ditch located inside the bank (Atkinson 152). These henges actually took their name from Stonehenge, which is the most elaborate of the existing henges. In addition, there have been numerous myths surrounding Stonehenge in modern history. In Medieval times, folklore said Arthur's magician Merlin used Stonehenge for religious ceremonies, and during the Renaissance, folklore attributed the prehistoric temple to Greek or Roman builders (Castleden 9-12). As society and culture has evolved and gained new technologies, the origins of Stonehenge keep changing. Perhaps someday there will be enough information, or new dating techniques, that will allow archaeologists to pinpoint the time period when Stonehenge was built, and who built it.

Many people believe Stonehenge is a religious temple, in fact, that is the prevailing view of scientists and architects. However, that may not imply the same meaning and use as today's houses of worship. Author Atkinson continues, "Indeed it may well have been used for many activities which today have no overt connection with religious belief or practice, such as political councils and the dispensing of justice; or even for more frankly secular purposes like the holding of markets" (Atkinson 168). The prevalence of henges throughout Britain (and only in Britain, by the way), indicates they were important to the culture and society of the time. Whether they were temples or not may never be known, but it seems certain that so much work went into them; they had to serve more than one purpose to be viable in society.