Laying a Foundation: Stonehenge

Our first stop on this immersive journey was at the infamous Stonehenge, in Wiltshire.

Although it is not truly known what purpose this ancient edifice served, it is commonly accepted amongst archaeologists and anthropologists that the stones had a spiritual function within the culture of the Stone Age people who built and used them.

People practiced and worshiped in the place well before our christian tradition came about. We could look at these monuments as being part of a pagan tradition practiced by people who are foreign to us.

Alternatively, from our Christian perspective now, it could be fair to say that the same god was being worshiped back then as we worship now.

The magnificence and beauty of Stonehenge is palpable in the atmosphere surrounding it. It is indeed a spiritual place where Eternity has been witnessed in one form or another across thousands of years. We are then united through the practice of devotion- living, waking prayer. We can come to this place, as we are in present time- with a different, christian culture- and boldly say the words, "Thanks be to God."

A fleeting moment, but a lasting memory.

The handy work of the Neolithic and Bronze Age people…or was it ALIENS?!

“Check out those rocks!” -Diana

There are two types of rocks at Stonehenge, sarsen and “bluestone.”

The larger rocks are sarsen which is a type of silcrete native to southern England and with novel geochemical research these specific stones have been determined to originate in Marlborough Downs, 20 miles away.

The smaller stones are termed “bluestones” and are of varied geology. All of the bluestones on Stonehenge come from Preseli Hills in southwest Wales near the western coast and most likely brought to the site via the Bristol Channel.

Scaffolding, ramps, and A-frames all assisting the builders in constructing the monuments. The lintels were probably raised using a “crib” method, a platform with alternating horizontal timbers allowed the stone to be levered, gradually increasing in height.

The lintel attaches snuggly to the vertical stones using a mortise and tenon joint. The tenon would be carved while the lentil was raised into position to ensure a tight fit of the pre-carved mortise hole.

Hammerstones of various sizes were used to shape the stones. Larger one for the roughing out, and smaller ones to make a smooth finish.

The average weight of each stone is 25 tons.

Depending on the height of the stone, the stone holes were dug at various depths to make the tops level. Excavations show one side is slopped like a ramp with wooden stakes on the opposite side to prevent the hole wall from collapsing when the stone was lifted in. It’s theorized that wooden A-frames were used as a lever with possible weights. Ropes made from plant fibers or thin wood stems twisted together also aided in erecting the vertical stones. Early Bronze Age ropes were often made of honeysuckle stems.

Tourists in their element

Some St. Paul’s finest, Madeleine Moran and Elliot Mackin

“If I had to choose plants or rocks, I’d choose rocks…” -Diana

Archaeological stratigraphy is the way that the layers and deposits are laid down in the ground. This plus radiocarbon dating not only places Stonehenge in the 2620-2340 BC range but it also helps to determine the sequence of construction. The inner horseshoe of stones were erected first followed by the outer circle.

Ok, so it’s highly likely that these people were the contractors and masons of this difficult, laborious, and often dangerous (no OSHA yet) site.

But…why did they do it?

2,000 year old artifacts and bones on display in the visitor center.

Red deer antler picks found during archaeological excavations were used to dig ditches, stone holes, and the Cursus. They were also used as wedges to stick in cracks and used a hammerstone to break up large blocks of chalk.