Stonehenge
Despite the many purposes it seems to
serve, Stonehenge is still the embodiment
of mystery for most of the world.
Some believe that its purpose was to be used
as an astronomical observatory.
Others think that it was used as a religious
meeting center for the Druids.
However, no one has been able to prove its true
meaning and existence.
Stonehenge is believed to have been built in three main
periods. The first
took place between 3100 and 2700 B. C. This part of the
construction
consisted of building a huge ditch around the area in which
Stonehenge
was to be built (Castleden 1). This ditch was 320 ft. in diameter
with a
broken area in which the entrance is located. Just inside the ditch 56
holes
were dug equal distance from each other. These holes were then filled
with
chalk rubble, but some of the holes were filled with the bones of
cremated human
beings. These holes were called the Aubrey holes after their
discoverer John
Aubrey. To the northeast of the ditch a 16ft. tall heel
stone was erected (Brown
751). The second phase of the building is
non-existent to this day (Warwick and
Trump I t can however be inferred
by to holes known as the "Q" and "R"
holes. The two holes form a double
circle around the monument. It was originally
filled with 38 blue stones.
Also during this building phase two ditches were dug
parallel to each other.
The two ditches go outward from the entrance. This part
of the building
process is believed to be unfinished. This thought is due to the
fact that
some holes are missing in the double circles (Brown 751). The third
phase in
building is the most spectacular of all the phases. This is because of
the
100ft. Circle that is filled with 30 sarsen stone columns which weighs
25
tons separately. A continuous circle of lintel stones held in place by
mortise
and tenon joints tops them off. Inside the circle is the holes known
as the
"X" and "Y" holes. Also inside are a small horseshoe shape
of
bluestones. The largest bluestone is called the altar stone. This
altar
stone’s original location and meaning is unknown. It now lies under two
fallen
trilithon stone. The builders of this age of Stonehenge are the Wessex
culture
of the early Bronze Age (Brown 752). Those who constructed Stonehenge
may never
be known. There are many myths and legends as to who really built
the huge
monument. On such myth is that the great magician Merlin built
Stonehenge. This
was claimed in the book History of the Kings of Britains
written by Geoffrey of
Monmouth. According to Geoffrey the huge stones
were taken from Ireland and
moved to England where they were marked as a
burial ground for slain British
princes. This monument was set up by King
Ambrosius. He sent for Merlin to give
him a monument. Merlin suggested the
"Dance of the Giants" in Ireland.
However the Irish were not going to
give up their monument without a fight. They
had set up an army to defend the
giant monument from King Ambrosius’s army of
soldiers sent to fetch the
monument. The British defeated the Irish but could
not budge the giant stones
in any way, shape, or form. Merlin, however, could.
He came to their
rescue and moved the stones with the greatest of ease. This
story was a good
explanation to all medieval believers. Outline I. Construction
A. Phases
1. Period I 2. Period II 3. Period III B. Builders 1. Celts and Druids
2.
Merlin and King Ambrossius II. Purpose A. Solstice Calendar B.
Druids
Meetings C. Astronomical Events III. Feeling toward Stonehenge A.
Peoples
Feelings Then B. Peoples Feelings now