Stonehenge - August 20th

Today was all about Stonehenge! We were lucky enough to book a shuttle/tour bus to Stonehenge this morning and spent a good portion of the day touring the ancient site. Stonehenge was built in stages between 3,000 and 1,500 BC and was originally used as a cremation cemetery. Whatever its original purpose, Stonehenge still functions today as a celestial calendar. As the sun rises on the summer solstice the "heel stone" lines up with the sun and the altar at the center of the stone circle.

This ancient site was originally constructed with a circle of monoliths and lintels surrounding an inner horseshoe shape of stones. It's amazing to think about how these Neolithic people not only transported these huge stones to the site (the largest monolith weighs 45 tons!), but also were able to shape and erect them. Truly an amazing feat of engineering and planning! 

First close up view of Stonehedge















The "heel stone" is that lone stone sitting off to the left


Another view of Stonehedge



Example of a Neolithic thatched roof hut












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