10 Fun Facts About Stonehenge

Ancient Engineering and Mysteries

Stonehenge has stood on Salisbury Plain for more than five millennia, drawing visitors from across the globe. Its massive stones, complex design, and enduring mysteries make it one of the most captivating ancient sites in Britain. There’s few things that we here at Wanderwell love more than interesting facts about ancient monuments. From remarkable engineering feats to spiritual significance, here’s ten fascinating Stonehenge facts.

1. Stonehenge is older than you think
Stonehenge wasn't built all at once. Construction began around 3000 BCE with a simple circular ditch and bank, making the site over 5,000 years old. The famous stone circle we recognise today was erected much later, around 2500 BCE, meaning the monument was already ancient when the Egyptian pyramids were being built.

2. Stonehenge was privately owned until 1918
For centuries, Stonehenge was privately owned land where livestock grazed among the ancient stones. It wasn't until 1918 that owner Cecil Chubb donated it to the nation. Before then, visitors could rent a hammer and chisel to chip off souvenirs, a practice now firmly in the past.

3. Modern druids have no historical connection to the builders
Despite popular association, modern Druidic practices at Stonehenge have no actual link to the monument's original builders. Stonehenge predates the Celtic druids by over 2,000 years. The romantic connection was largely invented in the 18th century, though druids continue ceremonial celebrations at the site today.

4. The stones travelled incredible distances and showcase engineering marvels
The smaller bluestones at Stonehenge, each weighing up to 4 tons, originated from the Preseli Hills in Wales, over 150 miles away. The larger sarsen stones, weighing up to 25 tons, were brought from Marlborough Downs about 20 miles away. How Neolithic people transported these massive stones remains hotly debated, with theories ranging from human-powered sledges to glacial movement. Once on site, the stones were shaped using primitive tools and fitted together with mortise-and-tenon joints, the same woodworking technique used in furniture, showing sophisticated engineering knowledge.

5. We still don't know its exact purpose
Despite centuries of study, Stonehenge's true purpose remains mysterious. Theories include an astronomical observatory, a healing temple, a burial ground for the elite, a site for ancestor worship, or a place where earth and sky connected. The truth likely encompasses multiple functions that changed over its 1,500 years of use.

6. Stonehenge aligns with the solstices
The monument's northeast entrance aligns perfectly with the sunrise on the summer solstice and the sunset on the winter solstice. This astronomical precision suggests the builders had sophisticated knowledge of the sun's movements and that celestial events held deep significance for these ancient people.

7. It was once part of a vast ceremonial landscape
Stonehenge did not stand alone. It was the centrepiece of a complex ceremonial landscape spanning several square miles, including the nearby Durrington Walls, the largest known henge, the Avenue processional pathway, hundreds of burial mounds, and the wooden circle of Woodhenge. This suggests coordinated ritual activities on a massive scale.

8. Cremated remains of at least 63 people were buried there
Stonehenge served as a cemetery for hundreds of years. Excavations have uncovered cremated human remains dating from 3000–2500 BCE, suggesting it was a burial ground for an elite dynasty or special group. Some remains show evidence of travel from distant regions, indicating Stonehenge attracted people from across Britain.

9. The builders were surprisingly healthy and well-fed
Analysis of bones from nearby settlement sites reveals that the people who built Stonehenge ate better than some later British populations. They feasted on pork, beef, and dairy products, with evidence of large-scale communal meals. Some researchers believe massive feasts brought communities together for monument-building projects.

10. There's a "twin" Stonehenge made entirely of wood
Archaeologists discovered the remains of Woodhenge, a timber circle built around the same time as Stonehenge, located about two miles away near Durrington Walls. Evidence suggests these wooden posts were massive, some estimates putting them at over 25 feet tall. Many researchers believe Woodhenge represented the land of the living, while stone Stonehenge symbolised the realm of the dead.

Enduring Legacy and Wonder

Stonehenge remains one of humanity’s most remarkable achievements, not only for its scale but for the mysteries that still surround it. Each archaeological discovery adds a new layer to its story, highlighting the sophistication and connections of the people who built it. Viewed as a sacred landscape, an astronomical masterpiece, or a centre for ancient gatherings, Stonehenge continues to captivate and spark curiosity across the centuries.

Want to read more? The Savvy Traveller: The Sleepy Traveller: Historic Castle Hotels in Scotland. The Curious Traveller: Scottish Tartan Explained. The Savvy Traveller: Best Free Museums in London.

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