Stonehenge and its mysteries |
Posted: December 11, 2017 |
From iconic palaces to cathedrals, castles to modern marvels, there is a plethora of attractions to visit and explore in London. With so many world-class attractions it comes as no surprise as being one of the most visited tourist destinations on the planet. When it comes to accommodation, there are plenty of fine luxury hotels in the city. When it comes to spa breaks London is a popular choice because of the numerous hotels that offer the best of spa facilities. One such fine hotel to stay on a trip to the city is the Montcalm Hotel London located in the heart of central London. It offers easy access to the many attractions in the city. Once you are done with visiting the top attractions in London and want to explore other places of tourist interest in the UK, Stonehenge is the perfect attractions to visit. It lies just about 80 miles to the Southwest of London in Salisbury and is one of the most important prehistoric monuments in the UK. It is one of the biggest attractions in the area and a source of fascination for visitors and archaeologists alike. It draws more than a million visitors every year and its true purpose still remains an unsolved mystery. It was built in phases: Archaeology reveals that the first construction of circular earthwork tool place around 3000 BC. There was a large ditch dug with 56 pits called the Aubrey Holes (named after John Aubrey who discovered them in 1666). Archaeology excavations indicate that there were more than 150 ceremonial burials from 3000 BC – 2300 BC in the area. The stones including the sarsens in the centre and surrounding smaller blue stones are estimated to have been brought here about 2500 BC. Later they were shaped and arranged. First, a ring of pits(Y holes) were dug from 1600 BC to 1500 BC. These Y holes surrounded an inner circle of pits (Z holes) dug earlier and encircled by sarsens. The purpose of the holes and the period of time Stonehenge was used is still a mystery. Its massive stones arrival is still a mystery: One of the most enduring mysteries is how did the builders manage to transport the gigantic stones using primitive tools to Stonehenge. The largest the sarsens are about 25 tons each in weight and thought to be moved from Marlborough Downs, around 20 miles away to the north. The bluestone themselves are anywhere between 2-5 tons and were brought from Preseli Hills in Wales around 150 miles away. It is assumed that the bluestones were transported over water and land to the area, with some researchers even suggesting they were moved by glaciers. Stonehenge was for auction: From medieval times onwards the area was privately owned. In the late 1800s, it owner Sir Edmund Antrobus was reluctant to sell the land to the government. Later in the 19th century, his son had the area fenced and visitors had to pay an entry fee. Later the British military used the surrounding area for training purposes with men and equipment transported to the area. Finally, a parliamentary act of 1913 protected the area from demolishment. After its owner died in World War I, it was put up for auction. A local Cecil Chubb bid successfully for it. After its purchase, Chubb donated it to the government and was knighted for doing so. Numerous theories about its purpose: As there is no written proof of its purpose there is plenty of speculation as to its purpose. Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century propounded that it was built as a memorial for Britons killed by Saxons. The wizard Merlin magically procured the stones from the Giants’ Ring from Ireland. An alternate theory put forth by William Stukeley states that it was used as a Druid place of worship. While scholars debate that it pre-existed the Druids, it is considered a sacred area by modern-day Druids. Some of the other theories include it serving as an astronomical tool to predict eclipses, a landing area for aliens and a centre of healing for injured and sick. Summer solstice meeting banned: Gatherings began to be held during the summer solstice in 1974, with the Stonehenge Free Festival becoming popular. However, in 1984 there was a growing concern among the authorities about illegal drug use issued a ban on the festival. Despite that, a gathering of festival goers tried to make their way to Stonehenge on June 1, 1985. They were stopped about 7 miles from Stonehenge. Confrontations with the police led to injuries and hospitalisation for around two dozen of the travellers, including a number of arrests. As a result, local authorities prohibited summer solstice gatherings until 2000. Charles Darwin visited and studied here: Charles Darwin visited the area in 1877 to research about earthworms. He wanted to research the effect earthworms had on soil and observed how a large stone at Stonehenge had sunk deeper after the earthworms churned the soil in the area. He later documented his research in a book he wrote in 1881. It is one among numerous such sites in the country: It is one among various such historical sites in the country. Stonehenge is the most sophisticated architecturally but the distinction of the biggest goes to Avebury, which is approximately 25 miles away. The site at Avebury comprised of a large circular bank and covered 28.5 acres. In the medieval period, many stones were buried by Christians, who considered them symbols of paganism, with other crushed and used as a material for building. Along with Stonehenge, the purpose of the monoliths at Avebury remains a mystery to date.
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