Stonehenge!

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in southern part of the English county of Wiltshire, about 8 miles north of Salisbury. As one of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones.  

The original “Stonehenge” monument is believed to have been built around 3000 BC and was constructed of 56 large round polls / posts.   Archaeologists believe that the stone monument we visit today was erected around 2500 BC; but by who?

There have been many theories about who really built the monument. Theories include the Druids, the Greeks, the Phoenicians, or the people from Atlantis.  And there’s been just as much speculation about the reason it was built in the first place, ranging from human sacrifice to a place for magical healing, while some insist that astronomy was the key purpose.

Stonehenge is thought to have been constructed by a culture that left no written records. So, just as you would expect, many aspects of Stonehenge remain subject to debate. There are a large quantity of theories, some of them very colorful, regarding its construction and purpose.  Such theory's are often referred to simply as the "mystery of Stonehenge".  A part of this mystery thinking developed because there has been little or no evidence found to date that describes the construction techniques used by the Stonehenge builders or why it was built.

Many functions for the site have been proposed over the years, which include (among others) usage as an astronomical observatory, or as a religious site. At least one theory suggests that Stonehenge was a place set apart for healing … the ancient equivalent of Lourdes; which is a place in south western France noted for exhibiting miraculous healing.

All of the stones were styled and shaped prior to 30 being erected as a 108 foot diameter circle of standing stones, with a ring of 30 stones resting on top of them.  The standing stones average a height of 13 feet by 6 ft 11 inches wide and weigh around 25 tons each.

Another stone called the Heel Stone is located just outside the main entrance to Stonehenge. Comparatively speaking it’s a rough stone, it stands 16 feet above the grounds surface and is leaning inwards towards the stone circle.  Its purpose is a mystery as well; it is uniformly referred to as the Heel Stone or Heelstone.  It's probably not a coincidence when one stands within Stonehenge, facing north-east beyond the entrance toward the Heelstone; the sun rises above the stone at summer solstice.

Should you choose to visit Stonehenge, which is open to the public, it is no longer permitted to walk amongst or climb on the stones as was done in the past, the monument was roped off in 1977 as a result of erosion fears.  In fact, you are no longer permitted to even touch the stones, but you are permitted to walk around the monument, and while experiencing the view, take as many pictures as you like from a short distance away.

Sources …                                                                     
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge                                                                            http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/history/ http://www.activemind.com/Mysterious/Topics/Stonehenge/