Interesting Stonehenge facts

December 7, 2009 | In: History facts

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire. Stonehenge was built between 3100 – 1100 BCE.

It contains approximately 80 giant stones standing upright in a circle with five capping stones, called “trilithons,” that create arches. Archaeologists speculate that Stonehenge was used for astronomy because of the way the stones align with certain planets and stars.

It has been estimated that the three phases of the construction required more than thirty million hours of labour.

According to folklore, Stonehenge was created by Merlin.

The stones increased in size towards the centre of the monument.

Two pillar stones, called the “Station Stones” are placed in the shape of a rectangle.

Some believe that it was a temple built to worship ancient earth deities, and that the Aubrey Holes may have been dug for the purpose of making an offering to the gods. Another theory suggests that it represents a scientific observatory.

Stonehenge is one of the major places people gather at the time of the summer solstice for healing.
Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Europe, and it is roped off from foot traffic to help preserve it.