Mysteries revealed — Stonehenge

Taking inspiration from the Latin word for ‘a reminder’ (monumentum), our ‘Mysteries revealed’ history series focuses on some of the world’s greatest – and most mysterious – historical monuments. The monuments featured have linked activities designed to encourage children to reveal the mystery (or not!) behind these enigmatic landmarks. A snap shot of relevant background information (for teacher reference or to extract and share with your class) and a stunning A4 poster will be provided each month for the monument in focus.

Background

• The Neolithic monument, Stonehenge, is situated on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire.
• Most experts now believe that Stonehenge was developed during several different phases over a long period of time.
• The first stage, built around 3000BC, consisted of raised banks and ditches known as a ‘henge’.
• The second stage, built around 2150BC, involved 82 large bluestones from south-west Wales being set in the centre of the ‘henge’ to form an incomplete double circle.
• Around 2000BC, the outer circle of huge sarsen standing stones were added from the Marlborough Downs. A horseshoe of five trilithons (pairs of uprights with a lintel across each one) were placed in a horseshoe shape inside.
• Soon after 1500BC, some of the bluestones were reorganised.
• Experts differ about what Stonehenge was actually used for – Sun worship, a healing sanctuary or as a sacred burial site.