Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain that attracts thousands of tourists each year.

It is arguably one of the most culturally significant and mysterious landmarks in the world, a real head-scratcher for all who visit.

Archaeologists believe it was created, built, or 'stood up' between 3000 BC and 2000 BC, and has fascinated people ever since.

It has been a site of great significance and spirituality since its creation, but no one really knows what its original purpose was meant for.

Archaeological evidence has been found to support the theory that Stonehenge was used as a burial site, at least for part of its long and colourful past.

Although, most scholars believe the site served other purposes as well.

What are the Stonehenge theories?

It has been suggested that either:

  1. Stonehenge was a ceremonial site
  2. The destination of a religious pilgrimage
  3. A final resting place for royalty
  4. A memorial site in honour of ancestors

 

According to CityWonders, back in the 1960s, astronomer Gerald Hawkins theorized that this mass of megalithic stone was used as a type of calendar, with different points in the circle corresponding to astrological elements, such as solstices, equinoxes and eclipses.

This theory is still one of the most popular and probable to this day, although some critics argue that the creators of Stonehenge would have lacked the knowledge needed to predict such complex events or even the cloudy skies of England would have limited their view of these events occurring.

In addition, after inspecting some of the human remains unearthed at Stonehenge, it become apparent that many of those buried at the site when suffering from illness and injury.

This has led some archaeologists to speculate that Stonehenge was regarded as a place of healing for an ancient civilization.

Stonehenge today

Stonehenge was built to align with the sun on the solstices, making it one of the most remarkable places to watch the sunrise, especially over the ancient stone circle.

On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the north-east part of the horizon and its first rays shine into the heart of Stonehenge. On the winter solstice, the sun sets to the south-west of the stone circle. 

Around 8,000 people gathered at Stonehenge this year on Tuesday, June 20 to mark the occasion.

The Avebury stone circles also attracted visitors from far and wide for the longest day of the year.