Karyn McCoy

Stonehenge

General Description

The mystery of Stonehenge has brought many scientists and philosophers to its location to answer the question as to whom or what built Stonehenge. It remains a mystery although there are a lot of stories that give credit to Merlin the magician, aliens or the people that lived 5,000 years ago. Stonehenge is located in a field in England. The Stonehenge we see today stands in ruin. To better understand Stonehenge is to relate to the architecture in three phases.

Architectural Design

Stonehenge 1: 5, 000 years ago, a circle was dug 320’in diameter, 20’wide and 7’ feet deep. Two parallel stones were placed at the entrance of the circle; one of the stones still remains. Stonehenge was used for 500 years and then abandoned.
Stonehenge 2: Approximately 2100 BC, a semicircle of granite stones was added to Stonehenge. These stones were called bluestones. These stones were believed to only exist 250 miles away. It is a mystery as to how they were brought to the location adding an air of mystery to Stonehenge. These stones were placed at the entrance and are aligned with the sunrise.
Stonehenge 3: This part of the construction is what is left today that observers see in ruin. The Sarsen stones can be located 20 miles from the location. They were brought to the location and were up righted and each one was topped with a horizontal stone. Originally there were 30 stones, 17 still remain standing. In this ring 10 more stones were up righted, 8 of these stones remain standing. A century later 20 more bluestones were added. These stones were placed in a horseshoe. Unfortunately only half of these stones remain.
Harmony with Nature:
There is so much mystery about Stonehenge that there is air of magic about the place. The bluestones that were brought to Stonehenge are some of the most curious. If the stones get wet or cut there is a blue hue about them. This gives people a belief that the stones have magical powers. It is believed to be a place of ancient healing.

Symbolism and Sacred Objects:

There is evidence at Stonehenge to indicate that it may have been used as a burial site, as there were skeletal remains found. Stonehenge may have also been used as a crude surgical location with the belief that there were magical medical powers to help healing. Stonehenge simply may have been an astrological site or a religious site. Each stone was placed with care and considered sacred to the ancients.

How it used by Worshippers:

The ancients observed it as a place of honor. Although it predates any known religion it is believed to have been used as a place of worship for Celtic paganism. The people that built Stonehenge had a vision and it served its purpose then. It is a place where thousands gather every year to view the Stonehenge and to give honor to its mystery. Those that visit believe they leave with a renewed sense of spiritual energy.

Sources:
Stonehenge. Brittannnia History http://www.britannia.com/historty/h7.html
Stonehenge. Sacred Destinations http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/stonehenge.htm
Stonehenge Theories. Time http://www.time.com/tijme/world/article/0,8599,1886661,00.html