THE OTHER STONEHENGES...

Stonehenge, arguably the most famous deliberately, yet mysteriously, placed arrangement of stones, has been a source of awe throughout recorded history.

While its true purpose is still debated, as well as who built it over several millennia, it remains an iconic structure that has inspired millions of people to visit and ponder. Originally thought to be built as a Druid calendar, it is now known to pre-date the Druids. It has been speculated to have been built as anything from a meeting place, a site for ritualistic sacrifice, a sign of the wealth of the territorial leaders of the time, an agricultural calendar, and a sort of astrological clock, among dozens of other hypotheses.

As it was constructed in phases over thousands of years, it is likely to have served many purposes. Built of Sarsen, a type of sandstone, and an array of igneous rocks generically called "Bluestone," this arrangement is thought to have begun being built at the end of the Stone Age, around 5,000 years ago. Evidence of additions and alterations as recently as 2,000 BCE show that it remained a work in progress for some time.

There are thousands of sites around the world that can be considered to be stone circles of one form or another. In some cases, the origin and purpose are known or understood, and in many if not most others, there remains some mystery. Some sites are potential examples of nature depositing stones in a circular-like fashion, while others may be the work of hoaxes. Nonetheless, there are numerous examples of stone, and even wood circles that were placed or constructed by our ancestors for myriad purposes.

STONEHENGE REPLICAS

Stonehenge is hardly the only example of man-made, circular arrangements of monoliths. The British Isles are littered with them, as are many other sites throughout the world. Most are thought to be some kind of astronomical calendars or ritual sites. There are also numerous replicas of Stonehenge, with varying degrees of accuracy and whimsy.