Stonehenge

Stonehenge is an ancient temple surrounded by hundreds of barrows, or burial mounds. 

While its original purpose is unclear, here are 2 ideas: 

#1 an astronomical observatory for marking significent events on a prehistoric calendar

#2 a sacred site for burial from societies of long ago

In its day, the construction was a very impressive engineering feat. About 5000 years ago, a bank & ditch arrangement called a henge was dug using primitive tools. 

Then approximately 4000 years ago the first stone circle was set up using Bluestones (weighing 4 tons each) transported from the tip of SW Wales... 240 miles away. At a later date these were actually rearranged.

The next phase saw the arrival of the Sarsen stones (weighing 50 tons each) transported from the Marlborough Downs, a distance 20 miles to the north. Interestingly, at the steepest part of the route, modern studies estimate that at least 600 men were needed just to get past one obstacle.

Yes... An awe inspiring sight!