Overview of Stonehenge

What was the diameter of the sarsen stone circle erected during the third phase of Stonehenge construction?

How many sarsen stones were used to form the ring during the construction of Stonehenge's third phase?

What is a trilithon in the context of Stonehenge's construction?

What characterized the processional avenue constructed at Stonehenge at the end of the third phase?

Approximately how many years after the second phase did the third phase of construction at Stonehenge occur?

What was constructed first in the initial phase at Stonehenge?

Which feature is known as the Aubrey holes?

When is it believed that the first phase of construction at Stonehenge began?

What was created as part of the second phase of construction at Stonehenge?

How deep was the circular ditch dug during the first phase of construction?

What were the stones from the Aubrey holes likely made of?

What significant purpose did Stonehenge serve during its second phase?

What is the approximate diameter of the Stonehenge circle?

Overview of Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a Neolithic monument located on Salisbury Plain, England, attracting over one million visitors annually.
Its enormity and ancient origins inspire many, with visitors seeking connections to the prehistoric era and observing its astronomical significance.
Construction began in the fourth millennium B.C.E., contemporaneous with Egypt's early dynasties, and predated the Great Pyramids.

Dimensions and Construction Details

The site features a circular structure with a diameter of 97 feet, comprised of trilithons standing 24 feet high, dating from around 2550–1600 B.C.E.
The circular ditch and bank, known as a henge, was dug circa 3100 B.C.E., measuring 360 feet across, with two entrances.

Phase One: Initial Construction

Features a significant circular ditch approximately six feet deep with a bank inside.
The construction included 56 Aubrey holes, likely intended for upright bluestones or wooden beams, with each bluestone weighing between 2 and 4 tons sourced from 250 miles away in Preseli Hills, Wales.

Phase Two: Development and Burial Practices

Occurred 100–200 years later, marked by the erection of vertical wooden posts in the henge's center and entrances.
This phase included burials, with at least 25 Aubrey holes repurposed for cremation and 30 additional pits dug for burials within the henge enclosure.

Phase Three: Final Construction

Happened 400–500 years after the second phase, characterized by the addition of 30 large sarsen stones sourced from Marlborough Downs.
The sarsen stones, each about 13 feet high, nearly 7 feet wide, and weighing approximately 25 tons, formed a circle of 108 feet in diameter.
This phase included the erection of five sarsen trilithons arranged in a horseshoe shape, with stones weighing up to 50 tons each.
Bluestones were either restored or freshly quarried and incorporated into the design.
A long processional avenue, approximately 34 meters wide, was created leading from the northeast entrance down to the Avon river.

Explore the fascinating history and construction of Stonehenge, a Neolithic monument on Salisbury Plain, England. This quiz delves into its dimensions, significance, and the phases of its construction, shedding light on its prehistoric roots and astronomical connections.