The Mystery of Stonehenge
Thousands of years ago, an ancient civilization raised a circle of huge, roughly rectangular stones in a
field in what is now Wiltshire, England. Stonehenge, as it would come to be called, has been a
mystery ever since. Building began on the site around 3100 B.C. and continued in phases up until
about 1600 B.C. No written records exist to explain how or why it was built.
How was Stonehenge built?
The biggest of Stonehenge’s stones, known as sarsens, are up to 30 feet (9 meters) tall and weigh 25
tons (22.6 metric tons) on average. Scientists believe that they must have been brought from
Marlborough Downs, a distance of 20 miles (32 kilometers) to the north. Transporting the stones
that distance can’t have been easy.
Smaller stones, referred to as “bluestones” (they have a bluish tinge when wet or freshly broken),
weigh up to 4 tons and come from several different sites in western Wales, having been
transported as far as 140 miles (225 km). It’s unknown how people in antiquity moved them that far.
Scientists speculate that during the last ice age glaciers might have carried these bluestones closer
to the Stonehenge area. An earlier theory was that the builders could have used rafts to transport
the stones over the water. However, more recent research suggests that this method can’t have
been used because of the weight of the stones.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Where do scientists think the Sarsen stones came from?
What does the writer say about transporting the Sarsen stones?
Where did the blue stones come from?
How do scientists think the blue stones were transported to the site?
What was Stonehenge?
There are a number of theories as to what the site was used for. Archaeologists agree that the site
must have had a spiritual significance. It may have originally been a cemetery, according to a new
study. After examining bones exhumed near the stones, scientists believe that the burials must have
taken place at the same time as Stonehenge was built, suggesting that the stones could have been
gravestones for religious or political elite.
1. What are scientists certain about the significance of Stonehenge?
2. Scientists are sure that Stonehenge was a cemetery T/F (False, not sure “may have”)
Stonehenge may have been constructed with the sun in mind. One avenue connecting the
monument with the nearby River Avon aligns with the sun on the winter solstice; archaeological
evidence reveals that pigs were slaughtered at Stonehenge in December and January, suggesting
that ancient pagan sun celebrations might have taken place there.
Steven Waller, a researcher in archaeoacoustics has revealed that before part of the ring collapsed it
must have had excellent acoustics and speculates that it might have been an ancient concert hall
or cathedral.
1. Why do scientists think the builders chose the location for the stones?
2. What other events possibly happened at Stonehenge?
3. What does Steven Waller say about Stonehenge?
Wild theories about Stonehenge have persisted since the Middle Ages. Some say Merlin the wizard
may have cast a spell to make the rocks as light as a feather to help with the construction. UFO
enthusiasts believe that ancient aliens could have built Stonehenge as a spacecraft landing pad.
4. What unscientific methods for Stonehenge’s construction have been suggested?
Form – Past modal verbs of speculation
Look at the sentences on the board and complete the table
Subject
I
You
He/she/it
Etc.
+
Modal
Could
Might
May
Must
Can’t
+
Have +
Have
Past participle
Been
Eaten
Sung
Swum
Etc.
Practice – Memory Test
Answer the questions with your partner using past modals.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What did the text say about transporting the larger Sarsen stones?
What did the text say about glaciers?
What are scientists sure about the significance of Stonehenge?
What did the researcher in archaeoacoustics say about Stonehenge?
What were some of the more wild theories about its use?
Easter Island Heads
1. Scientists are almost certain that the stones had a religious significance.
Scientists believe that the stones must have had a religious significance.
2. Scientists think that it’s impossible that the stones came from a different island.
Scientists think that the stones can’t have come from a different island.
3. It’s possible that the stones were carved to resemble a famous leader of the tribe.
The stones might/could/may have been carved to resemble a famous leader of the tribe.
4. Some people believe that there’s a possibility that the stones came from another planet.
Some people believe that the stones might/could/may have come from another planet.