Friday 4 May 2012

Stonehenge and the mystery behind the stones!

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located on the Salisbury plains (about 90 miles away from London). Archeologists believe the iconic stone monument was constructed anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC.  The site and it's surrounding plains are UNESCO World Heritage Site.  




The biggest mystery is why these stones were laid in circular way?  What was the purpose to build this? How did they bring these heavy stones? Was this a Sun temple or burial place? People have argued and debated over this topic for many decades.  


Some facts about these stones are that they are laid circular in line with midsummer sunrise and minwinter sunset.  Probably that's why Summer Solstice festival is very famous in this location..And sunset was amazing during winter, couldn't imagine how beautiful it will be during a sunrise/ summer solstice.


There were 2 kind of stones used for construction - Blue stones (weighed roughly 4 tons) and Sarsen Stones (about 25tons).  These stones were said to be taken from Wales, about 240 miles away from where these structures stand today.  And the estimated man hours for the construction was about 30 million hours of labour.  All these information were taken from one of the tourist pamplet.  
Knowing the fact now, doesn't it feel amazing still with so much of mystery involved as to how they moved them in 3000BC, how many people would have worked on this, and why did they chose this location to lay the stones! 
With regards to their architectural structures, they are the evidence of the mathematical and geometric understanding of the builders. 


Whatsoever, the growing enigma and the structures of this place never fails to impress tourists.  


If you visit this place, you will be able to see the stones only from an outer secured area.  If you want to go beyond this closer to the circles and tour inside them, you need to pre-book on a guided tour.  

When we went to London the first time as tourists, I told S and his friends that we need to visit Stonehenge.  All of them asked what it was.  I actually had to convince them with so many facts about this site and finally the group said yes.  When we reached Stonehenge, the first reaction of one of S's friend was "Have you convinced us to visit these stones?  What's here to see? And you made us waste £7 for its entrance ticket".  

What can I say!  Camphor smell donkey knows? wink wink.

10 comments:

  1. wowww vaish i always have a dream to visit this place..Hopefully one day i will make it...So sad about the reaction of the group..

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  2. There is one theory that aliens might have helped the people back then to make these structures because they wanted a suitable site/indication for landing their space crafts! Ah, the possibilities of contemplation :)

    Destination Infinity

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  3. Beautiful post! Yeah! These stonehenge are really mysterious! I have seen some in Orkney Isles, which are part of what they say, Heart of Neolithic Orkney. I love to read about them.

    Each individual is different, and hence their taste and what they think is cool! I visited Coorg with a group. I wanted to check out Irupu Falls which is just a KM walk. A couple in a group said ... why walk a KM to see water falling down. Water always falls down don't we know it?

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  4. Stone henge will remain a mystery. On my to see list. I didnt know you had to book in advance to visit the inner circles. Thanks for the information.

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  5. I have to visit this place sometime. Thanks for giving so much information about the Stone henge, Vaish!

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  6. Hmmm right i better go and book it in advance to see it .. mondya is a bank holiday tooo :) he hehehe

    thank you for all the info..

    Bikram's

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  7. have seen pics before...had no idea where it was

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  8. Many people advised us too, that it is a waste of money and time to visit this site, and also one would not be allowed to go near it. Since we had less time we skipped it. However, I had read about it, and wanted to see it, but nowhere did I read one could book in advance to have a closer look, they had specifically mentioned that beyond a point it would not be allowed.

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  9. Interesting and intriguing and informative too!

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  10. oh some people are like that...overheard a guy grumble to wife "it is all stones" at Qutb Minar during our visit!

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