Stonehenge was probably built over a period of approximately 500 years, beginning around 3000 BCE. This time span is based on the dating of different layers of earth and stone.
Stonehenge is one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world. The site consists of a circular setting of large standing stones, with each stone around 13 feet (4m) high, weighing up to 25 tons.
The stones are arranged in a ring around the center of the monument, which has been excavated to reveal a series of concentric circles going deep into the earth. These circles appear to be aligned with specific points on the horizon at sunrise and sunset during the solstices and equinoxes, suggesting that Stonehenge may have been used as an astronomical observatory.
There are several theories about how Stonehenge was built, including one that suggests it was erected by extraterrestrials!
The most likely explanation for how Stonehenge was built is that it was constructed from local materials by dragging massive stones from nearby quarries using teams of oxen. The stones were then positioned using ropes and wooden levers.
As for how the builders managed to transport these heavy stones from Wales to Salisbury Plain, there are several theories:
1. They were dragged by hand or with the help of a simple pulley system.
2. The stones were floated down rivers to Salisbury Plain (about 240 miles away).
3. They were rolled along a specially made road that followed an ancient route called the Ridgeway.