Chequered history
 
Stonehenge is located in Wiltshire in England, probably the most important prehistorical site in the whole of Britain and stands as a timeless monument.  The Stonehenge that is open to modern day visitors is probably the final stage of a construction site that was completed about three millenniums ago.
It has earned a place in the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites along with a host of other historical monuments and sites that are preciously linked to the history of mankind.  Stonehenge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument owned by the Crown and legally protected. Stonehenge derived its name in all probability from the old English words 'stan' meaning stone and either 'hencg' meaning hinge or 'henen' meaning hanging or gallows.
 
As the name suggests, Stonehenge is a series of large, standing stone and rock formations including several burial mounds dating from the Neolithic Period and Bronze Age to the present day.  While no clear evidence can accurately pinpoint the date of origin it is believed to have been erected around 2500 BC; recent excavation of cremated remains on the site that date far back as 3000BC indicate that Stonehenge served from its very beginnings as a burial ground, which has been corroborated by the discovery of human bone fragments, and continued that way for nearly six to seven centuries. Despite its association with early Neolithic civilization, Stonehenge is unique in certain notable and prominent features; the stone pillars stand 24 feet tall support lintels that are held in place with mortise and joints.  Stonehenge's evolution changed in several phases over at least a millennium and half and there is strong evidence of several stages of construction around the original monument site.  But the undisputed fact remains that it was a place of burial and till the time of its documented usage remained the domain of the dead.


Archaeological experts and scholars believe that Stonehenge may have once been a complete magnificent monument.  The various phases of construction and activity have been witness to ravages by nature and time and a lack of scientifically verified data and accuracy in dates.  Over the millennia from 3000 BC to 1600 BC which was the time of the last construction at Stonehenge, several new construction elements have been found.  Pine posts, blue stones and grooved pottery ware along with carved inscriptions bearing images of a dagger and axe are shown as Stonehenge evolved from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age.
Stonehenge was last used as a monument probably in the Iron Age, around the 12th century BC.  Early Roman coins and other medieval age artifacts have been discovered around the site though it is unknown if the monument continued to be in use.  The headless body of a 7th Century Saxon man was discovered in 1923 at Stonehenge.  Records indicate that scholars during the Middle Ages were aware of its existence and it has been the subject of many studies.

Modern day mystery

Stonehenge's ownership went through several hands since the time of King Henry VIII, passing through several Lords, Earls, and Marquises.  In 1824 the Antrobus family of Cheshire purchased the estate but sold the estate during World War I.  At an auction in September 1915 Cecil Chubb bought 
The site for well over 6000 and donated it to the country in 1920.  It was around this time that an appeal was made nation-wide to preserve the heritage of Stonehenge for posterity and to save it from encroachment and damage contributed by newer constructions and developments around the site. The buildings have since been removed although the roads built around the site remain.  Stonehenge is now in the possession of The National Trust. 
 

Legends, Paganism and Druidism

Stonehenge is not without its share of legendary stories.  Most popular among them is the Arthurian legend relating to Knight Arthur and his wizard Merlin, a possible throwback to the Druids. The multitude of colourful theories attributed to Stonehenge's past that cannot be verified by any written records and is still today open to debate only heighten and deepen its mystery.  Over the years, several scholars have suggested that supernatural, symbolic or anachronistic elements as possible answers to the construction and evolution of the site.  They have also used the theory that it was verily humanly impossible to move the stones from their original locations to the site.  More theories abound that the site may have been used as an astronomical observatory, or as a ritualistic one.


The first recorded practices of ritualistic ceremonies by the Ancient Order of Druids appear in 1905 but Stonehenge's popularity as a place of pilgrimage go back to the late eighteenth century with the monument attracting visitors for the midsummer solstice.  Although historians and archaeologists have tried to impress the differences between the Druidic beliefs of the Iron Age and its modern version, Stonehenge has almost inexplicably become associated with Neopaganism and New Age philosophy.  Ritualistic ceremonies were carried out between 1972 and 1985 at Stonehenge; since then the site was closed for several years and has only in recent years become popular once again with visitors although the use of the site for rituals is carefully monitored.
 
Tourist attraction

Motorable access roads around the monument ensured that visitors could freely visit the site without restrictions.  Early visitors to the site could walk among the stones and even climb on some but the erosion that resulted forced authorities to cordon off the stones in 1977.  Now visitors can only walk around the monument from a short distance away and are dissuaded from touching the stones.  Access is however permitted during the summer and winter solstices, and the equinoxes.  Visitors during the solstices celebrate the spiritual ancestry of this prehistorical ritual site by drumming and horn blowing.  Special bookings are open to visitors throughout the year.  Current estimates by conservation and tourism experts declare that Stonehenge is "in moderate trouble" from permanent and visible damage.
 
Access and reach

The closest town is Amesbury located at the junction of A303 and A344/360, about 2 miles west of Stonehenge. Stonehenge is easily accessible by train or bus and motorable roads from London's Gatwick and Heathrow Airports.
Salisbury, about 9 miles away, is the closest train station to Stonehenge and has easy connections from Waterloo station.  By bus, Stonehenge can be reached via Amesbury, which is only 2 miles away.

Stay
 
There is a wide variety of hotels, motels, cottages, manors, county and town houses around Stonehenge that offer modern facilities for the discerning traveller and packaged seasonal rates.
All it needs to motivate a visit to Stonehenge is a thirst for adventure and a deep rooted desire to come alive amidst prehistorical ancestry of our civilization.