The Mystery of Stonehenge
Stonehenge is an easy day trip from London or Bath England. I love that Stonehenge sits in the middle of nowhere and can be seen from the highway. It is as if it doesn’t know it’s an icon, just an ordinary green pasture with roaming sheep. Although the artists scattered about painting the monument is an indicator that it is something special; the monument itself does not seem to know that. I did not find Stonehenge to be mystical or spiritual. This may be due to all the tourists being ushered along with their day trips. Or the ropes keeping the public from writing on or chipping away pieces of stone for souvenirs.
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Stonehenge is full of mystery. We know this pre-historic monument is 5K years old. It is made of two types of stone. The vertical stones are 29 feet tall and weigh 9 tons. They are from North Wiltshire, 20 miles from Stonehenge. The horizontal stones weigh 4 tons and are from Wales, 150 miles from Stonehenge. How these stones have moved that distance before the wheel was invented is part of Stonehenge’s mystery. Did Merlin move them with magic as folklore suggests? Or, it could have been the giants, they would have had no problem moving these stones. Maybe it was something paranormal, the superhuman strength of aliens (I like alien theories). Or did glaciers move the stones during the ice age? Or, more likely, it was hundreds of men dragging these huge stones on a sledge.
Truth is, Stonehenge is just a giant pile of stones. In a circle. Yet, this pile of stones was placed precisely and intentionally. Which leads to the question of why? Good question. Answer unknown. The stones are placed in a definite pattern but the why remains another mystery. Stonehenge may have been an astronomical observatory to mark the seasons. Or a burial ground. Another theory is that it is a symbol of power or intimidation. Or it may be related to some type of cultic practice or sacrifice. Possibly Stonehenge was a religious or spiritual landmark; archaeologists have determined the area had an abundance of game during the time period and may have been sacred ground. Archaeologists have also determined the people who lived near the site were not slaves or coerced in any way. They believe ‘many’ people came from great distances to unite and construct this prehistoric structure. I love that. Many people from great distances united.
Stonehenge has been referred to as a sacred monument with healing powers. During a day trip with many tourists, it feels like a pile of stones you walk around and think hmm. Should you go? Yes. I have been twice. It is iconic and instantly recognized. It is one of the wonders of the world and a world heritage site. I have heard it is amazing and has a very special feeling when viewed at sunrise from “the Drove”. Stonehenge is a 2-hour drive from London. You will not need more than an hour at the site to walk around it and check out the artifacts in the visitor center. Consider visiting on a day trip and combine Stonehenge with a visit to Bath, Salisbury, or Stratford-upon-Avon.
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