Prehistoric Monument Stonehenge, c. 3000-1600 BCE: Circles of Time: From Earthworks to Megaliths at Stonehenge

Simeon Netchev

by Simeon Netchev
published on 24 April 2022

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Prehistoric Monument Stonehenge, c. 3000-1600 BCE — Stonehenge, located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, is one of the most iconic prehistoric monuments in the world. Constructed in several stages between circa 3000 and 1600 BCE, it reflects the technological and social sophistication of Neolithic and early Bronze Age communities in northwestern Europe. Archaeological research identifies multiple construction phases, beginning with a circular earthwork enclosure and timber posts, later replaced by massive sarsen and bluestone megaliths arranged in precise astronomical alignments. These alignments suggest that Stonehenge served not only as a ceremonial site but also as an early observatory marking solstices and equinoxes, linking spiritual belief with the natural cycles of the sun.

Since the 17th century, scholars such as John Aubrey and William Stukeley have attempted to unravel Stonehenge’s origins and meanings. Modern excavations, radiocarbon dating, and landscape archaeology continue to refine our understanding of the monument’s cultural and ritual functions, revealing its deep connections to nearby sites like Durrington Walls and Avebury. Whether interpreted as a temple, a burial ground, or a monument of celestial worship, Stonehenge remains a powerful symbol of prehistoric ingenuity, an enduring testament to humanity’s early quest to understand time, space, and the cosmos.

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.

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Cite This Work

APA Style

Netchev, S. (2022, April 24). Prehistoric Monument Stonehenge, c. 3000-1600 BCE: Circles of Time: From Earthworks to Megaliths at Stonehenge. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15691/prehistoric-monument-stonehenge-c-3000-1600-bce/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Prehistoric Monument Stonehenge, c. 3000-1600 BCE: Circles of Time: From Earthworks to Megaliths at Stonehenge." World History Encyclopedia, April 24, 2022. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15691/prehistoric-monument-stonehenge-c-3000-1600-bce/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "Prehistoric Monument Stonehenge, c. 3000-1600 BCE: Circles of Time: From Earthworks to Megaliths at Stonehenge." World History Encyclopedia, 24 Apr 2022, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15691/prehistoric-monument-stonehenge-c-3000-1600-bce/.