Nestled in the picturesque Salisbury Plain of England stands a timeless mystery etched in stone – Stonehenge. With its colossal megaliths standing sentinel against the backdrop of changing seasons, this prehistoric monument continues to captivate the imagination of historians, archaeologists, and curious minds alike, inviting us to unravel some lesser known (and fun) facts about this enduring legacy. Without further adieu, here are 5 fun facts you may not have known about Stonehenge.
Fact #1 -No one knows for sure how the stones got there
While no one knows for sure how the stones were transported to the Salisbury Plain, there are many theories as to their origin. One theory is that the stones were quarried in the local area and transported by locals with rafts. Another theory is that a giant glacier broke off the pieces of rock and was used to transport the stones part of the way, leaving humans to drag them the remainder of the trip. The most popular theory however, involves the stones being brought from Wales and transported along the Avon River on rafts. Whatever the real origin is, we can all agree that these impressive megaliths are as alluring as their mysterious origins.
Fact #2 - The stones have names
While it’s true, some of their names are uninspiring–for example, stone 008 and stone 023, some of them have a little more exciting monakers. The taller stones in the Stonehenge formation are known as Sarsens and are made of sandstone found in the local area. The smaller stones are known as Bluestones and are composed of dolerite, rhyolite, and even volcanic ash, which are thought to have been transported originally from Wales. The names get even more interesting as we go along. Take for example the Altar Stone, which stands out among the rest (or rather lies down). No one knows what its exact purpose is, but it most likely earned its nickname from Inigo Jones who famously said, “whether it might be an Altar or no I leave the judgment to others.” Another fun nickname is the Heel Stone coming in at a whopping 36 tons. This is the stone that is often photographed with the sun rising over it during the Summer Solstice. Next we have the Lintels. These stones sit vertically on top of the sarsen stones connecting them together. Today there are only six remaining lintel stones in the outer sarsen circle. Next up is the Slaughter Stone. This flat-laying stone gets its name from the red rust-colored deposits that collect in its rain basin. The name is likely credited to Victorians with overactive imaginations and never truly was involved in slaughter of any kind. And last, but certainly not least, we have the Station Stones. There were originally four of these stones, but sadly only two remain today. They mark the corners of a perfect rectangle and are thought to mark lunar alignment.
Fact #3 - The Heel Stone gets its name from a local legend
The Heel Stone is sometimes referred to as Friar’s Heel or Sun Stone because of a folklore legend about how the stones came to be. According to the legend the Devil bought the stones from a woman in Ireland, wrapped them up and brought them to Salisbury plain, but dropped one along the way in the River Avon. Upset that no one would know where they originally came from, he cried out in frustration. A friar overhead him and exclaimed “That’s what you think!” This angered the Devil and caused him to throw one of the stones at the friar hitting him on the heel. After hitting the friar the stone fell to the ground, where it remains stuck in that same spot today.
Fact #4 - They were once sold at auction
While it’s truly hard to believe, the Stones were sold at Auction in 1915 to a lucky Mr. Cecil Chubb, who reportedly came to the auction to buy a set of dining chairs. Mr. Chubb scored the stones for only £6600, roughly the equivalent of $836,000 in today’s money. Three years later, he graciously donated the stones to the nation to be cared for.
Fact #5 - It receives a whopping amount of visitors each year
Stonehenge receives over 1 million visitors per year. Among those numbers, approximately 50,000 of them are school children who get to visit for free. Additionally, roughly 24 of those visitors get engaged at Stonehenge each year. Pictured above: one of the cutest visitors to visit Stonehenge in 2015—baby Roman!
These five fun facts serve as a testament to the enigmatic allure of this ancient monument, inviting us to marvel at the enduring puzzle that is etched into the very stones of its history. So, next time you find yourself gazing upon the majestic stones, remember that each colossal block holds a tale as intriguing as the next, echoing the whispers of an ancient past.