Stonehenge’s purpose is shrouded in mystery. Some theorize that it was a place of worship. Others speculate that it was an astronomical observatory used for marking significant events or a burial site for high-ranking people from ancient civilizations.
The henge, comprised of a monument with a circular ditch and external bank surrounding a circle or circles of stones or wooden posts, was built approximately 5,000 years ago. Different groups of ancient people were given credit for constructing Stonehenge. The discovery of the Mediterranean boy’s skeleton, found about two miles away, adds to the henge’s mystique.
Mediterranean Boy’s Skeleton Discovered near Stonehenge
His remains were unearthed near Salisbury, Wiltshire County, South West England. He was wealthy, as evidenced by a cluster of amber beads around his neck and named "The Boy with the Amber Necklace." These beads are one of several foreign items that were found around the henges.
Amber, a fossilized resin of coniferous trees from the Oligocene period, dating back to 8,000 BCE, is considered a crystal with projective energy. It’s representative of the Sun and Great Mother and elements are Fire and Akasha. Its powers are protection, strength, healing, luck, love and beauty.
Clues from the Boy’s Skeleton Found by Stonehenge
The Mediterranean is miles away from England. Scientists said it’s proof of the site's importance because prehistoric people had to travel far to reach the henge. Jane Evans of the British Geological Survey said that radiocarbon dated the skeleton to 1,550 BCE and this emphasizes the diversity of people who journeyed to Stonehenge from Europe.
Professor Timothy Darvill, PhD Archaeology, DSc, Archaeology, of Bournemouth University agreed. He was honored by the Queen for his service to archaeology and is one of the leading experts about Stonehenge and prehistoric Britain. Darvill stated that the discovery added credence to the theory that pilgrims trekked from major distances to Stonehenge, so it’s likely that it was a religious or healing center much like modern-day Lourdes.
The boy’s amber necklace isn’t British. His skeleton was tracked to the Mediterranean region by isotope analysis measuring the ratio of strontium and oxygen isotopes in his tooth enamel. Different areas have various mixes of elements in water. Some are absorbed into a person's tooth enamel. Analysis of the isotopes of oxygen and strontium in enamel gives scientists a general idea of where a person lived.
Stonehenge’s Amber Artifacts
The amber necklace is one of several foreign artifacts found near Stonehenge. The Amesbury Archer skeleton, named because the amber was shaped like an arrowhead, found three miles from Stonehenge, is thought to have come from Central Europe’s Alpine foothills. The Boscombe Bowmen, found nearby, are believed to have arrived from Wales or, possibly, Brittany.
Was Stonehenge a Burial Ground?
May 2008 news item: Stonehenge’s megaliths could be huge gravestones for a prehistoric dynasty was suggested by new radiocarbon dating. Analysis of ancient human remains revealed that people were buried at Stonehenge from circa 3000 BCE until 2500 BCE. The new discovery supports the theory that Stonehenge was symbolic of the Domain of the Dead for ancestor-worshiping ancient Celts.
It's estimated that up to 240 people were buried at Stonehenge, primarily in the Aubrey Holes. New radiocarbon dates spanning 500 years were acquired from three cremated humans unearthed in the 1950s and stored in the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum. The earliest cremation, a pile of burned bones and teeth, from one of 56 Aubrey Holes, were dated from 2950 to 2900 BCE. The second cremation was dated between 2930 to 2870 BCE. The latest remains dates from 2570 to 2340 BCE.
A second stone mace’s head that was unearthed could have been symbolic of authority. A grave dated circa 2000 BCE at Bush Barrow belonged to an important chief who had a similar mace. The theory that Stonehenge burials represent prehistoric elite corroborates with patterns found in other sites. The extension to the theory is that only selected people were chosen for interment; others left above ground or tossed into rivers.
Stonehenge’s Enigma Continues
Some theorize that Stonehenge was a place of religious ceremonies, while others speculate it was an astronomical observatory or a burial ground for the prehistoric elite. There are other mysterious structures such as Castlerigg Stone Circle, also known as Keswick Carle and Druid’s Circle, a prehistoric structure in Cumbra. Stonehenge and America’s Mystery Hill, dubbed America’s Stonehenge, have three things in common: both appear to be astronomical observatories and alignments and almost nothing is known about their builders.
There are arguments to support the theories. Artifacts found with human remains indicate that they were members of an elite class and approximately 240 people were buried at Stonehenge.
John Aubrey performed the first measured sketches of the site. He demonstrated an astronomical relationship in the stones' placement. Architect John Wood did the first accurate survey of Stonehenge. His interpretation was that the henge was a site of religious rites.
Gerald Hawkins noticed that 165 significant sites correlated with the rising and setting places of the sun and moon. He believed the henge could be used to anticipate astronomical phenomena such as the solstices.
Joseph Norman Lockyer and others have discussed the practical side of astronomical observation when there was no other way to establish dates, whether they were needed for agricultural or seasonal religious uses. Those who postulate that Stonehenge was a sacred site used for Pagan rites and healing point out that the monoliths’ arrangements coincide with their Sabbats or Fire Festivals.
The enigma is what the purpose of Stonehenge actually was. Is it possible that all three theories are true? The arguments for a burial place, astronomical structure and a Pagan religious site appear to have worth. Today, Neo-Pagans gather at Stonehenge to celebrate Sabbats.
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Sources:
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic, Scott Cunningham (Llewellyn Publications, 1990).
Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, (HarperSanFransico, 1991).
“Stonehenge Was Cemetery First and Foremost, Study Says,” James Owen, National Geographic News, May 29, 2008, News.NationalGeographic.com. Accessed on September 30, 2010.
“Stonehenge Skeleton Came from Mediterranean,” Raphael G. Satter, Associated Press, News.Yahoo.com. Accessed on September 30, 2010.
Jill Stefko - I'd rather deal with the paranormal than human abnormal - having dealt extensively with both.
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