ENGLAND: Stonehenge
Stonehenge is located on the Salisbury
plain, in English county of Wiltshire. One of the world`s most famous
pre-historic monuments, it is composed of earthworks which surround a
circular setting of huge standing stones, those forming the Trilithons being
estimated to weigh 45-50 tonnes. Archaeologists believe the giant stones
were erected around 2200 BC, although large Mesolithic post-holes beneath
the visitor car-park, may date from as early as 8000 BC. Theories as to the
purpose of Stonehenge, range from astronomy to human sacrifice. The site is
mentioned in Arthurian legend which believes that the wizard Merlin directed
its removal from Ireland, where it had been constructed by Giants, who had
transported the stones from Africa. In the early Middle Ages, many of the
original stones were destroyed in to provide building materials, to make
room for agriculture, and due to a public fear of pagan rituals held during
the seasonal solstices. The first official record of Druidic practices dates
from 1905 when the Ancient Order of Druids enacted a ceremony since when the
site and its surroundings became a place of pilgrimage for Neo-Druids and
more recently, for New Age followers. Stonehenge was inscribed on the UN
list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 in a co-listing with nearby Avebury
henge, known for other stone circles and earthworks carbon-dated to
Neolithic times.