Favorite Thing: Stonehenge is not a single structure but consists of a series of earth, timber, and stone structures that were revised and re-modelled over a period of more than 1400 years. The earliest portion of the complex dates to approximately 2950-2900 BCE (Middle Neolithic). It comprises of a circular bank of about 330 feet in diameter. Just inside the earth bank is a circle of the
56 Aubrey holes that held wooden posts.
The Sarsen Circle, is 108 feet in diameter, comprised of 30 upright sandstone blocks, only 17 are now standing. The Sarsen Circle with its lintels is perhaps the most remarkable feature of Stonehenge in terms of design, precision stonework, and engineering. They are hard-grained sandstone with a silaceous cement. The
Trilithons are ten upright stones arranged as five freestanding pairs each with a single horizontal lintel. Only three are now complete with their lintels. The other two both have only one standing stone with the second stone and lintel lying on the ground.
The term
"Bluestone" refers to various types of mostly igneous rocks including dolerites, rhyolites, and volcanic ash. It also includes some sandstones.
The
Slaughter Stone located on the north-east side in a break in the bank-and-ditch in what is regarded as the main entrance of the monument.
At this time was also laid out an earthwork known as the
Avenue that extends north-east from the break in the bank-and-ditch.
The
Heel Stone is approximately 16 feet high The stone now leans out of vertical but most likely once stood upright.
The
Altar Stone, is a large dressed block of sandstone that lies embedded in the Two fallen stones now lie across it. The stone is believed to be Cosheston Beds Sandstone from south Wales, and is the only example of this type of stone at Stonehenge. It is 16 feet long.This information and more can be found at www.witcomb.bcpw.sbc.edu
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on May 12, 2003
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