FAQ's on Stonehenge

Visitors at Stonehenge Who built Stonehenge?

Stonehenge was built between 3,000 and 1,500 BC by three different prehistoric cultures, Windmill, First Wessex and the Beakers - so named because when they buried their dead they had their pots interred with them.

What was it built for?

The function of Stonehenge remains a mystery.  We know for sure that it was used as a cremation cemetery in its first phase, and that it is aligned on the solstice axis.  It could have been used as a temple to the sun, or as an astronomical observatory for ceremonies for the ancestors or harvests.

Why was it built here?

There is no explanation as to why the site was chosen. Various theories have been put forward but no conclusive evidence has been found to support them.

What about the Druids and Stonehenge?

Stonehenge was not built by the Druids.  It is much much older than the Druids, who were ancient priests who flourished in the centuries before the birth of Christ.  The Druids emerged more than 1,000 years after Stonehenge was abandoned.

Is Stonehenge the largest stone circle?

Avebury rather than Stonehenge is the largest stone circle in the world.  But Stonehenge is the only one that has lintels around the top, making it unique.

Where are the Bluestones?  None of them look blue?

The Bluestones are the smaller inner stones, which originate from the Preselli mountains in Wales, and when they become wet they turn blue.

What happened to the rest of the stones?

Many of the original stones have been taken to build houses and roads. Also, many stones have been chipped away by visitors and taken away as souvenirs over the past couple of hundred years.

Where is it possible to see the objects found at Stonehenge?

You can see the artefacts found in the many burial mounds and monuments around Stonehenge at Salisbury Museum (www.salisburymuseum.org.uk, tel: 01722 332 151) and Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes (www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk, Tel: 01380 727 369).

Why can't we go into the centre circle?

Since 1978, the stone circle has been roped off to stop erosion and damage caused by higher visitor numbers and vandalism.  We do, however, have out of hours Stone Circle Access for a small number of people booking in advance.  This allows us to monitor numbers and protect the Stones.

When did the ropes go up around the stone circle?

The ropes were erected around the stones in 1978 to help protect the stones from further damage.

Why has one of the stones got a smooth base?

One of the stones has experienced a lot of wear and to support it and prevent it from falling, a concrete core was put in to keep it upright in 1959.

Why do we have to pay as this is our heritage?

The stone circle was given to the nation in 1918 by Sir Cecil Chubb with the provision that a charge was to be made to pay for the upkeep.

How did Stonehenge come into the care of English Heritage?

When Stonehenge was given to the nation it was looked after by the Department of the Environment.  English Heritage was created in 1984 to manage the built heritage of the country, which included the management of the Stonehenge monument.