Testa Deborah
1G
31.03.12
Mistery of Stonehenge
Hi! Now I talk about Stonehenge. This is one of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world.
This monument is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones, it
also includes several hundred burial mounds. Have you some questions?
When Stonehenge was built?
Scientific study maintain that Stonehenge was built during two phase. First, between c. 3000 BC
and 1500 BC. Neolithic people began the construction of a circular ditch and inside it they dug 56
shallow holes. Then, in the after phase, around 2100 BC, granites stones were erected in a
semicircle. These stones come from the Prescelly mountains in south Wales , about 250 miles away,
and are known as “blue stones”. The blue stone clearly possessed a potent symbolic or “holy” value
for prehistoric man. In second phases the builders constructed a circle of sandstone monoliths, each
pair of which was topped with a horizontal capstone.
Stonehenge is a mystery because each stone weighs up to 4 tons, how Neolithic people transported
to the Salisbury plain.
What was Stonehenge for?
Since 12th century Stonehenge was subject of study. It had probably religious purpose, where
people worshipped ancient gods particularly natural elements as river, sun, moon …
Other
scientists maintain that it was a kind of astronomical observatory. It may have served more secular
purposes such as law- giving and judging; and perhaps even as some sort of annual market-place.
Stonehenge was “active” for at least 1700 years.
Sorry, Who built Stonehenge?
Neolithic people built Stonehenge.
…And who used it in different ages?
The Iberian migrated to Britain from the South in the Neolithic age. We find out about them from
archeological remains. Grave mounds contain “beaker” or cups of early pottery.After ,around 700
BC the Celts began to arrive from north-west Germany. The Celts were farmer, hunters, fishermen
and metal works. They constructed defensive earthworks, built on top of hills and used as refuges
and tribal centres. They traded iron, tin and silver goods, pottery and cloth between tribes.the tribal
leaders were warriors who fought from their chariots. One famous leader was Budicca, a woman,
who fought the romans to avenge her husband’s death.
Testa Deborah
1G
31.03.12
What Celts worshipped?
They worshipped the natural elements and they believed in immortality and in transmigration of the
soul from one person to another . one means of communications, was trough sacrifice. The Celts
made offerings of precious object to the gods. Written evidence about the Celts comes from the
Romans, after they invasion in 55 BC.