Stonehenge
I spent the last few days reading all or most of three books on Stonehenge.
Fascinating, as Mr. Spock would say.
What you read depends upon the discipline of the author. The archaeologists, who logically have done most of the studies of Stonehenge, for the most part say they aren't sure what it represents. Most of these archaeologists even go so far as to say '... we don't know what it is and we likely never will'. The one book I read that was written by an astronomer,
Stonehenge Decoded by Hawkins, is pretty sure it is some form of an observatory. He puts forth some convincing arguments, backed up by a state-of-the-art computer (for 1960), which he refers to as 'The Machine'.
What all serious students of Stonehenge agree upon is that it represents 3 or 4 separate constructions starting around 2500 BC with major additions or modifications made about every 200-400 years thereafter. Certainly Stonehenge has been used as a burial site over its life as have many other stone and mound areas in England. Also, these same students place little credibility upon the 'popular' notion that the Druids, and their human sacrifice activities, had anything to do with its construction; they have only been in the picture for the last 150 years. Even less credibility is given to the theories of construction by 'supernatural' beings. All of the authors are comfortable with the local natives being able to move the 30 ton stones from a known quarry some 240 miles away.
I would recommend you do some 'light' reading about Stonehenge.
Wikipedia is a good summary that captures the essential details. For me one of the most amazing things about Stonehenge is that it is still standing after enduring the Roman invasion, the 100 Years War, the blitz bombings of WW II and all the 'tourist' activity.
Larry
