What was Stonehenge?

[fieldlily]

One of the most fascinating mysteries of the past is Stonehenge. Made up of huge stones it is located on the Salisbury Plain In Wiltshire, England. There are various theories as to its origin and the purposes for which it was built? What is your take on what it WAS or what it was used for???

 

[kierkegaard214]

One of the most fascinating mysteries of the past is Stonehenge. Made up of huge stones it is located on the Salisbury Plain In Wiltshire, England. There are various theories as to its origin and the purposes for which it was built? What is your take on what it WAS or what it was used for???

I like to follow the calendar/temple theory. Since the people of that area were druids, it would make the most sense. As for how it was built, all i can confirm is that they used a roap like material and a lot of man power, with some wooden building equipemnt as well.

 

[stubby42]

Its a religious site, I might be getting confused but I'm pretty sure its designed so at certain times of the year the light is channeled through the pillars.

 

[fieldlily]

Its a religious site, I might be getting confused but I'm pretty sure its designed so at certain times of the year the light is channeled through the pillars.

Light shining through the pillars doesn't necessarily make it a religious site, or does it? Anyone?

 

[dignitized]

it may have been some sort of religious site or a calendar - the one thing we do know for sure desipte popular belief is that the site is in no way connected to the druids. It was OLD long before the druids even discovered it.

 

[fieldlily]

There is also the theory that Stonehenge was some kind of ancient computer. I am not sure I understand how that is except for that certain times of the year the sun shines in some kind of direction through holes in the stones.

 

[Pentecostal Boy]

It was most likely a temple and it had many "face lifts" I guess that you could call them.

 

[kurabrhm]

I've been to Stonehenge. Its not very far from my home town. Absolutely stunning countryside, but the stones are not that amazing. Although its really all about how the stones got there in the first place. Its a great mystery.

 

[kurabrhm]

The whole stonehenge mystery does share parallels with the Easter island statues mystery. How it did it get there?
Aliens maybe!

 

[fieldlily]

The whole stonehenge mystery does share parallels with the Easter island statues mystery. How it did it get there?
Aliens maybe!

Possibly part way by barge to Stonehenge, but.... Wow, it is amazing that those big stones with the faces on Easter Island are there. Are there any theories on how they got there? A mystery for sure!

 

[comana]

Possibly part way by barge to Stonehenge, but.... Wow, it is amazing that those big stones with the faces on Easter Island are there. Are there any theories on how they got there? A mystery for sure!

Easter Island is very interesting. And from what I understand, a little more is known about this culture than the builders of Stonehenge.

Here is a quick link I found, might be helpful. Easter Island

As to Stonehenge? That I don't know much about, but my thoughts are that it is some sort of calendar that marks important days of the year for religious ceremoniess.

 

[fieldlily]

Easter Island is very interesting. And from what I understand, a little more is known about this culture than the builders of Stonehenge.

Here is a quick link I found, might be helpful. Easter Island

As to Stonehenge? That I don't know much about, but my thoughts are that it is some sort of calendar that marks important days of the year for religious ceremoniess.

I checked that site regarding Easter Island. Thanks. The Discovery Channel has some good stuff and online too. Yes, Stonehenge goes back much further than Easter Island...at least the work on the stones there.

Both are mysterious and it goes to show you how inventive and intelligent people were then --long before our modern technology. And creative too.
From what I have read about Easter Island /the stone faces the theory is that they had great religious significance perhaps were even worshipped. I wonder why there were so many of them and some not quite erect or complete just left....am merely speculating... but maybe each one represented a person or a family. Some kind of monument maybe to last forever. Well, they have lasted longer than many monuments to the past and will be there long after some of ours are gone...Hummmm, I wonder...

 

[Silvertusk]

The whole stonehenge mystery does share parallels with the Easter island statues mystery. How it did it get there?
Aliens maybe!

You guys make me laugh. Thank you

Stonehenge was created about 2000 years BC by Druids at the time. The stone was cut from Quarry's in Wales and transported on a primitive track system. (e.g. logs cut and placed under the stones to roll them along). The Henge was created as an ancient calander to mark the winter and summer solstice as part of the Pagan religion of the Druids at the time.

How the welsh were conned in dragging those stones all that way I have no idea. Suffice to say we are not as gulliable or easily manipulated these days. Just look at the Rugby.

 

[Grey Eminence]

Both are mysterious and it goes to show you how inventive and intelligent people were then --long before our modern technology. And creative too.

From what I have read about Easter Island /the stone faces the theory is that they had great religious significance perhaps were even worshipped. I wonder why there were so many of them and some not quite erect or complete just left....am merely speculating... but maybe each one represented a person or a family. Some kind of monument maybe to last forever. Well, they have lasted longer than many monuments to the past and will be there long after some of ours are gone...Hummmm, I wonder...

Society on Easter Island progressed towards collapse as the islands resources were used up. Settlement of the island is thought to have began in the 6th century and was quite literally a one shot affair. Most of the head building was in between the 14th and 16th centuries. As resources dwindled in the 15th and 16th century it became more difficult and then impossible to continue to build more heads. At the time as the collapse, mid 16th century, intra-island warfare led to the toppling of many of theh heads and outright cannibalism as there were little or no food resources left.

Easter island is not a monument to mystery. It is a monument to a societies collapse. A collapse so complete that when it was 're-discovered' in the 18th century not even the residents had much, if any, idea of what the heads were for.

 

[DailyBlessings]

Actually, the head building stopped some time before the society collapsed- it seems to have been replaced by a competing religion, which is manifested in rock art all over the island.

 

[jesus_freak1513]

There is also the theory that Stonehenge was some kind of ancient computer. I am not sure I understand how that is except for that certain times of the year the sun shines in some kind of direction through holes in the stones.

I heard that theory. I believe there is a lot to support it. I like to go with the calendar. The people whom built it were pretty smart.

 

[kurabrhm]

Stonehenge was created about 2000 years BC by Druids at the time. The stone was cut from Quarry's in Wales and transported on a primitive track system. (e.g. logs cut and placed under the stones to roll them along). The Henge was created as an ancient calander to mark the winter and summer solstice as part of the Pagan religion of the Druids at the time.

How the welsh were conned in dragging those stones all that way I have no idea. Suffice to say we are not as gulliable or easily manipulated these days. Just look at the Rugby.

 

[fieldlily]

Stonehenge was created about 2000 years BC by Druids at the time. The stone was cut from Quarry's in Wales and transported on a primitive track system. (e.g. logs cut and placed under the stones to roll them along). The Henge was created as an ancient calander to mark the winter and summer solstice as part of the Pagan religion of the Druids at the time.

How the welsh were conned in dragging those stones all that way I have no idea. Suffice to say we are not as gulliable or easily manipulated these days. Just look at the Rugby.

The Druid theory was once a very popular theory. Scholars now consider it archaic. Here is a URL which includes an excellent explanation of the various theories, when they emerged, and what they might mean. The article is too long to include, but checking it out or other articles should enlighten anyone about the theories.

http://www.sacredsites.com/europe/england/stonehenge.html

 

[eaglex]

I believe it was a Druid worship spot .