History, Religion and Legend of Stonehenge, Research Paper Example

The perspective of the history of Stonehenge will be explored from the perspective of Keys (2011). The point of view of the religious functions of Stonehenge will be explored from the perspective of Hill (2011) and Meaden (2000). The legends which surround the construction of Stonehenge will be reviewed from the details provided by Stevens (1933).

History

Stonehenge is one of the most well-known prehistoric constructions in the world. Stonehenge had been initiated as a basic earthwork surrounding. Stonehenge had been constructed in several phases. Archaeologists have dated the stone in the circle as having been positioned over 4500 years ago. Stonehenge retained its significance in the beginning of the Bronze Age (Hill Ch. 2; Meaden 63).

This characteristic is in consideration that a number of burial mounds which have been discovered by archeologists have been established in the vicinity. Carbon dating has been used to establish the age of the burial mounds. Stonehenge in conjunction with Avebury and supplemental historic sites compose the World Heritage location. This area is renowned for its densely clustered ancient constructions (Hill Ch. 2; Meaden 63).

Stonehenge may have been formed as a burial ground for the elite members of the ancient Druidic society. Researchers have discovered skeletal fragments which are from over sixty different individuals on the Stonehenge site. The evidence which had been exhumed demonstrated that women, children and men had been buried at the Stonehenge sit in equal ratios. Many of the skeletal fragments have been carbon dated to over 5000 years ago. In addition to the skeletal remains which have been found, religious artifacts have also been associated with the Stonehenge monument (Meaden 63).

There are extraordinary discoveries which are being made in regards to the most ancient known construction in the United Kingdom. Research has inferred that Stonehenge may have been a significant holy site for at least five centuries prior to the erection of the initial stone circle over 4500 years ago. The research which has been conducted by archaeological teams originating from the University of Birmingham, University of Bradford and the University of Vienna have connected Stonehenge to ancient solar religious belief systems. The probability of Stonehenge trending toward use as a center for religious solar worship is demonstrated by the research which is being conducted by the team of archaeologists (Keys 1).

Research has demonstrated that there are two large subterranean chambers which, when examined from the perspective of the Heel Stone at Stonehenge demonstrates that the subterranean chambers had been connected with the coordinates of sunrise and sunset during midsummer’s day.  This day is documented to be the longest enduring day of the annual cycle. The researchers have discovered that on midsummer’s day there are three alignments. There are alignments of the sun with each of the subterranean chambers and a third alignment is made with the central aspect of the Stonehenge monument. The dates which pertain to the initial construction of Stonehenge had been assessed at 8000 B.C (Keys 1).

The new discoveries require that additional consideration be given with regards to the geographical religious meaning of Stonehenge. The research which is being performed by the team of archaeologists will require another twenty four months in order to formulate a conclusion. Consequently, it is expected that dozens of associated sites will be discovered as a result of the archaeological research which is being conducted at Stonehenge. The archaeological endeavors which are being conducted by the team of archaeologists from the University of Birmingham, University of Bradford and the University of Vienna are anticipated to make discoveries which will cause transformations in the academic interpretation of the history of Stonehenge (Keys 1).

Religion

There has been significant debate with regards to the actual function of Stonehenge. Many have believed it to be a religious center. It is perceived that ancient Druids constructed Stonehenge. The perception of Stonehenge as a religious center is a consideration which has stimulated renewed interest in the Stonehenge site. This renewed interest originates from the northeastern orientation which is manifested by Stonehenge in its construction. Most of the religious centers of the world are aligned with the sunrise at the eastern equinox (Meaden 64).

The members of the conventional Druidic religion continue to hold religious ceremonies at the Stonehenge monument. Research has demonstrated that the final circle which had been constructed at Stonehenge may have been built in order to commemorate the yearly conjugal consecration between Sky god and Mother Goddess. Researchers theorize that the U- shaped formation of the stones which form the inner portion of Stonehenge to be a representation of the maternal reproductive organ of the Mother Goddess (Hill Ch. 2; Meaden 64).

The solar rays must pass the Heel Stone in order to reach the inner formation of stones at Stonehenge. The shadow which is formed has been perceived to be a representation of the paternal reproductive aspects of the Sky god. The extended shadow ingresses through the core arches of the primary Sarsen circle and touches the Alter Stone. The regression of the shadow from the stones is symbolic of ceasing the act of sexual intercourse between the Mother Goddess and the Sky god.  This characteristic infers that Stonehenge was constructed in order to perform fertility rites (Hill Ch. 2; Meaden 64).

Legend

There is a story which is described as the story of the priest’s heel. The legend discusses that the Scandinavian giant wanted to perform a great endeavor. Over time as Christianity spread to Britain, the Scandinavian giant was changed to the devil. The Scandinavian giant discovered stones in Ireland and wanted to move them to the Salisbury Plain. The consent of an elderly woman had to be obtained prior to the endeavor of positioning the large stones (Stevens).

The giant coerced the elderly woman with a promise of wealth. The legend states that the giant delegated two pence three farthing and four half penny to the elderly woman in order to gain consent  for the movement of the stones. The giant acknowledged that the woman had less than optimal accounting skills and requested that she stop counting. The giant took the stones in a large bag and proceeded on his endeavor of carrying the stones to the Salisbury plain. Notwithstanding, the giant found the stones to be extremely burdensome (Stevens).

The giant dropped some of the stones as he was journeying through Avon valley. As the giant was traveling, some of the stones fell from his bag and became submerged in the river which passes through Builford. As the giant arrived at Salisbury plain, he established the stones in such a manner that it would perplex any passersby with regards to the reason for their arrangement. The giant was amused and discussed his plan aloud (Stevens).

As the giant had been discussing his design, a priest overheard the giant’s ruminations. As the priest tried to run way from the giant, due to the aspect of fearing for his well-being, the giant tried to deter the priest. The giant did not wish for anyone to know the purpose of his design. The giant hurled one of the large stones at the priest. The large stone struck the priest on the heel and an indentation of the priest’s heel was made in the stone.   As the priest was a consecrated man, no damage came to him (Stevens).

The indentation which had been made in the stone was in the form of the priest’s heel. Subsequent to the interaction which occurred between the priest and the giant, the sun started to rise. The giant had to abandon his plans and could not complete the endeavor of positioning the stones at Stonehenge. This is the legend which surrounds the construction of Stonehenge (Stevens).

Conclusion

There has been a great deal of debate with regards to the history, religion and legend of Stonehenge. The endeavors which are being conducted by the team of archaeologists from the University of Birmingham, University of Bradford and the University of Vienna Have conducted significant discoveries which will add to the body of knowledge which surround the mysteries around the history, religion and legend of Stonehenge. These contributions will shed new light on the age, origins and the purpose of Stonehenge in addition to the orientation of the stones which are established at Stonehenge.

Works Cited

Hill, Rosemary. Stonehenge. London: Profile Books Ltd, 2011. Print.

Keys, David. “Secret history of Stonehenge revealed.” The Independent, 26 November 2011. Web. 8 March 2014http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/history/secret-history-of-stonehenge

Meaden, Terrence. The Secrets of the Avebury Stones: Britain’s Greatest Megalithic Temple. Berkeley, CA: Frog Books, 2000. Print.

Stevens, Frank. Stonehenge, Today and Yesterday. Library of Alexandria, 1933. Print.