What do we know about Stonehenge? - Worksheet

Stonehenge remains one of the most iconic and enigmatic prehistoric monuments in the world, located in the English countryside. There are aspects of Stonehenge that experts have discerned with a reasonable degree of certainty. For instance, its construction is attributed to various stages spanning centuries, and its alignment with the solstices suggests it had astronomical significance. The precise methods used by Neolithic people to transport and erect the massive stones are still a subject of research and debate, but theories have been proposed based on archaeological evidence and experiments.

Despite extensive study, there are still many unanswered questions about Stonehenge. Theories about its purpose range from it being a ceremonial site, a burial ground, to a place for healing, but there is no definitive answer. As for what we are quite sure Stonehenge was not built for, some of the more outlandish claims, such as it being constructed by aliens or as a landing pad for ancient spacecraft, have been confidently ruled out by scholars. Understanding how Britain evolved from the beginning of the Stone Age to the end of the Iron Age provides context to Stonehenge's existence, with significant developments in tools, domestication of animals, and the advent of farming. Archaeological discoveries, including artefacts, burial sites, and ancient art, have been instrumental in piecing together the story of the Stone Age and the society that built Stonehenge.