Di Rosa Giuseppe
1G
31st March 2012
STONEHENGE
Student: ”Giuseppe, when Stonehenge was
built?”
Giuseppe: ”Scientific study and excavation
have identified three main constructional
phases between 3000 BC and c. 1500BC.The
stone circle still visible today belongs to the
third phase which was started in about 2000
BC.”
Student: “why it was built and how it was
used ?”
Giuseppe: “Since the 12th century Stonehenge
has aroused curiosity and has been subject of
study and speculation. No one knows exactly
why it was built, that is why different
interpretations have been given. Because of the presence of mounds archaelogists agree that it probably
was an ancient religious site or a place where people worshipped ancient gods . Some scientists on the
other hand, think that Stonehenge was a kind of astronomical observatory and probably also used a
calendar. We can obviously grant it a religious and ritual function; the astroarchaelogists would grant it an
observatory one .It may have served more circular purposes such as law-giving and judging ;as a truceground in intertribal disputes ;and perphases even as some sort of annual market-place”
Student: “interesting ! I want you one more question: who built/used it?”
Giuseppe: “ Britian was first settled in the Neolithic period by Iberian people who spread slowly from the
South. Grave mounds contain “beakers” or cups of early pottery. The most famous structure is the megalith
of Stonehenge,in South West England .It is built of bluish stone ,brought 300 km from wales. To construct
something so enormous shows how important something shows how important Stonehenge must have
been to these people .
Around 700 B.C the Celts began to arrive from north-west Germany.In general, the Celts worshipped the
natural elements such as the Sun, the Moon, the trees and the rivers, since Water was regarded as the holy
element which generantes life and as the door to the world after death. Also were making sacrifices to
propitiate the gods. We can deduce that the Celts used it as a religious place.
Student: “Giuseppe, in my history book is written that Stonehenge is so mysterious and fascinating. What do
you think about it?”
Giuseppe: ”Great question! So, the stones, that form Stonehenge, come from the Prescelly mountains in
south wales ,about 250 miles away, and are know as “blue stones”. Prehistoric people were fascinated by
them because of their hue :blue was a colour they considered “sacred” Each stone weighs up to 4 tons, how
they were transported to the Salisbury plain is a mistery.
Student: “You don’t say?”
Giuseppe: "Yes it’s a mysterious! I think that Stonehenge is one of the things I like most of history, just
because you do not know all of this construction, it remains a mystery, and everyone can think whatever you
like "
Fonte foto:http://www.google.it/imgres?q=Stonehenge&um=1&hl=it&sa=X&rls=com.microsoft:it:IE-
Di Rosa Giuseppe
1G
31st March 2012
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Giuseppe Di Rosa 1G