3000 BCEarly Henge

The first Stonehenge is built, an earthwork enclosure about 100 metres across enclosed by a circular ditch and two banks.

2500 BCFirst Raised Stones

Stones are raised in the centre of the enclosure using larger sarsens in two concentric arrangements, and smaller 'bluestones' in a double arc between them.

Find out more about how Stonehenge was built

2300 BCIndividual Graves

Well-furnished individual Beaker graves are dug near the Stonehenge site, including that of the Amesbury Archer.

2300-2200 BCAltered Stones

The central bluestones are rearranged to form a circle and inner oval. The earthwork Avenue connects Stonehenge with the river Avon.

1800-1600 BCPlans to Rearrange

Two rings of pits are dug around the stone settings, perhaps for a rearrangement of the stones that was never completed.

1750-1500 BCBronze Age Carvings

Four of the sarsens are adorned with over 100 carvings of axeheads and a few daggers, perhaps symbols of power or status.

700 BCIron Age Hillfort

A major hillfort, Vespasian's Camp, is built about one mile east of Stonehenge, near the river Avon.

AD 43-early 5th centuryRoman Activity

Many Roman objects are left at Stonehenge, suggesting the site may be a place of ritual importance to Romano-British people.

Explore the permanent collection in the Stonehenge visitor centre

14th-19th centuriesNational Interest

Writers, artists and antiquarians take more and more interest in Stonehenge.

Why is Stonehenge so significant?

1897Training Ground

The Ministry of Defence buys a vast area of Salisbury Plain for army training exercises.

1901Restoration

Landowner Sir Edmund Antrobus organises the re-erection of the leaning tallest trilithon.

1915-1918Given to the Nation

Local landowner Cecil Chubb buys Stonehenge from the Antrobus family and gives it to the nation.

1964Restoration Complete

The last stones are consolidated.

2013Dignified Setting

The road which ran right past the stones is closed. A new visitor centre and exhibition centre is built 2 kilometres away from the monument. The stone circle is reunited with its sacred landscape.

Learn more about Stonehenge