Stonehenge

What catches people's imagination more than a mystery? A mystery provides a void in information that people want to fill. The mystery of how Stonehenge was created has given many people the opportunity to make up many different myths and fables. Different groups of people seemed to provide some new solution, revealing their ideas about the unknown.

I had the privilege of hearing one of the older theories on the little audio tour at Stonehenge. The little person in the guide talked about how long ago people believed King Arthur, in a desire to commemorate his men that had died in battle, asked Merlin for advice. Merlin suggested getting some large stones set up by giants in Wales. Arthur sent a group of soldiers to collect the stones from a site in Wales, but because they were taking too long Merlin became inpatient and used his magic to bring the stones to England. Merlin set them up exactly how the giants in Wales had set them up.

Another theory, also on the audio tour, demonstrated the people's shift from the magic of Merlin to the Christian God. The story goes that Satan wanted some special bones that were owned by an old woman in Wales. He flew to Wales and offered the old woman all the money she could count while he was gathering the bones. She agrees, knowing the task should take the devil a very long time. Unfortunately for her, the moment she began to count the devil was done and he flew off with his booty. He deposited the bones at Stonehenge.

Modern theories show an equally fanciful nature with a twist. One current idea is that the stones were brought by aliens. The theorist do not explain why the aliens left the stones, only that they did. I do not know if anyone actually believes this theory, or if it was simply created by someone suggesting an idea that had never been discussed. Another theory sounds to me a bit more plausible but only explains who put the stones there not how. One major theorist, Stukeley, believed that the Druids constructed them as a religious sight (Stukeley, 10).

Why do so many people theorize about how Stonehenge was created? The answer is because it really is a mystery how stones that probably weigh close to 45 tons, requiring hundreds of men to move, were put up in a time when there was no heavy machinery (Historical, 1). Experts seriously have no idea how people were able to create the sight. They have found many burial grounds surrounding the place, but they do not even know if these graves were placed there from the people who created the place or later people.

What experts do know, is the original location of the stones. True to myths, the stones really did come from Wales. These stones actually formed in such a way that the great pillars at Stonehenge did not need to be quarried, but they could simply be carried off (Alexander, 53). Pillars litter the landscape catching people's imagination and mystery making them perfect candidates for such a sight like Stonehenge.

Because people have created so many different theories about Stonehenge, when I went to visit the place, I was surprised at it size. I expected something a little larger. I believe the place was so hyped up, I had a greater expectation for it then what was rational. Fortunately, the audio tour really helped me to see how impressive the place really is. It really would take a lot of man power to put those stones in place.

Until experts solve the mystery of Stonehenge, I believe the best thing for us to do is create our own myths and legends. Various theories were tossed around by students on our arrival at the sight, but I do have a favorite. I do believe the best idea was that the pillars were toy blocks for a baby giant. We may never find out how the stones were brought to England, but at least we can have fun making up our own theories.

Alexander, Caroline. “If the Stones Could Speak.” National Geographic (June 2008): Washington DC, 34-59.

Historical Background. English Heritage. June 9, 2008.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.1914

Stukeley, William. Stonehenge, A Temple Restor’d to the British Druids. London: Innys and R, 1740.