The origin of Stonehenge: Where did the giant stones come from?
Introduction
Stonehenge
is a prehistoric monument located in Wiltshire, England, and is one of the most
mysterious and enigmatic structures in the world. One of the biggest questions
surrounding the site is where the giant stones used to construct the monument
came from. The origin of the stones used to construct Stonehenge is still a
mystery, and there are many theories about how they were transported. In this
article, we will explore the different theories surrounding the transportation
of the stones used in the construction of Stonehenge.
Types of Stones
The stones
used in the construction of Stonehenge are classified into two types: the
smaller "bluestones" and the larger "sarsen stones." The
bluestones, which weigh up to 4 tons, were transported from the Preseli Hills
in Wales, over 150 miles away. The sarsen stones, which weigh up to 50 tons,
came from the Marlborough Downs, about 20 miles north of the site.
Theories
The question
of how these massive stones were transported such a great distance has puzzled
researchers for centuries. Many theories have been proposed to explain how the
stones were transported, but none of the theories have been proven.
Theory 1: Sea and River Transport
One theory
is that the stones were transported by sea and then up rivers to the site.
However, there is no evidence to support this theory, and it is highly unlikely
that ancient people would have had the ability to move such massive stones by
sea.
Theory 2: Overland Transport
Another
theory is that the stones were transported over land using a combination of
rollers, levers, and sheer human strength. This theory is supported by the fact
that many of the stones at Stonehenge show signs of having been dragged over
long distances, including grooves and scratches on their surfaces. However, it
is hard to believe that ancient people would have had the technology or
organization to move stones weighing up to 50 tons over such a long distance.
Theory 3: Rocking and Rolling
Recent
research suggests that the stones may have been transported using a technique
known as "rocking and rolling." This method involves digging trenches
in front of the stones and then rocking them back and forth until they move.
This method is thought to have been used by ancient cultures in many parts of
the world, including the ancient Egyptians and Incas.
Theory 4: Glacial Transport
Another
theory suggests that the stones were brought to the site using a combination of
human labor and ice-age glaciers, which pushed the stones from their origin all
the way to the Salisbury Plain.
Conclusion
In
conclusion, the origin of the stones used to construct Stonehenge is still a
mystery. The stones were transported from two different locations, the
bluestones were transported from the Preseli Hills in Wales and the sarsen
stones were transported from the Marlborough Downs. Many theories have been
proposed to explain how the stones were transported, such as by sea, over land,
or by glaciers. But none of the theories have been proven. The fact that the
stones were brought from such a great distance suggests that the people who
built the monument had a deep understanding of the landscape and the resources
available to them, but we still don't know for sure how they did it. The
construction of Stonehenge was a massive undertaking that required great skill,
knowledge, and resources. The mystery of how ancient people moved these massive
stones is still one of the many unanswered questions surrounding Stonehenge.
Comments
Post a Comment