How to Build Stonehenge: An In-Depth Guide by Thema Bryant Davis

How to Build Stonehenge

by Thema Bryant-Davis

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	86683 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	325 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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Stonehenge is one of the most iconic and mysterious ancient monuments in the world. Its construction has puzzled archaeologists and historians for centuries. How did the ancient builders move these massive stones and erect them in such a precise formation? This guide will provide an in-depth look at the construction of Stonehenge, based on the latest archaeological evidence and research.

The First Phase: Quarrying and Transportation

The first step in building Stonehenge was to quarry the stones from the surrounding landscape. The majority of the stones used in Stonehenge were sarsen stones, which are a type of sandstone. These stones were quarried from the Marlborough Downs, which are located about 20 miles north of Stonehenge. The stones were then transported to the site using sledges or rollers. This was a difficult and time-consuming process, as each stone weighed several tons.

Quarrying stones for Stonehenge

The Second Phase: The Heel Stone and Aubrey Holes

Once the stones had been transported to the site, the builders began to erect them in a circular formation. The first stone to be erected was the Heel Stone, which is located about 100 feet east of the center of the circle. The Heel Stone is a large sarsen stone that is about 16 feet tall and weighs about 30 tons.

After the Heel Stone was erected, the builders began to dig a series of holes around the perimeter of the circle. These holes, known as Aubrey Holes, were about 4 feet in diameter and 2 feet deep. The purpose of the Aubrey Holes is unknown, but they may have been used to mark the positions of the other stones in the circle.

The Heel Stone and Aubrey Holes at Stonehenge

The Third Phase: The Sarsen Circle

The next step in the construction of Stonehenge was to erect the Sarsen Circle. The Sarsen Circle consists of 30 upright stones, each of which is about 13 feet tall and weighs about 25 tons. The stones were placed in a circle with a diameter of about 100 feet. The stones were held in place by a series of mortise and tenon joints.

The Sarsen Circle at Stonehenge

The Fourth Phase: The Lintels

Once the Sarsen Circle was complete, the builders began to erect the lintels. The lintels are the horizontal stones that rest on top of the upright stones in the Sarsen Circle. The lintels were made from bluestones, which are a type of igneous rock. The bluestones were quarried from the Preseli Hills in Wales, which are located about 240 miles west of Stonehenge. The lintels were transported to the site using sledges or rollers. This was a difficult and time-consuming process, as each lintel weighed several tons.

The lintels at Stonehenge

The Fifth Phase: The Trilithons

The final step in the construction of Stonehenge was to erect the trilithons. The trilithons are the three sets of two upright stones with a lintel on top. The trilithons are located in the center of the Sarsen Circle. The trilithons are the most impressive part of Stonehenge and are thought to have been used for ceremonial purposes.

The trilithons at Stonehenge

The construction of Stonehenge was a remarkable feat of engineering. The ancient builders were able to move and erect these massive stones with precision and accuracy. Stonehenge is a testament to the skill and ingenuity of the ancient builders and continues to fascinate people today.

How to Build Stonehenge

by Thema Bryant-Davis

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	86683 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	325 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE