Henge

Henge

Henge is a term used in archaeology to describe a particular type of prehistoric monument consisting of a circular or oval arrangement of standing stones or wooden posts. The most famous example is Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, but many other henges have been discovered across the British Isles and beyond. The word henge comes from the Old English word henge-clif, which means stone hanging or gallows, possibly referring to the lintel stones that were placed atop the upright stones in some of these structures. Henges are believed to have been constructed during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, roughly between 3000 and 1500 BCE, and their exact purpose remains a subject of debate among archaeologists. Some theories suggest that they served as astronomical observatories, religious temples, burial grounds, or gathering places for ancient communities. The construction of henges required significant labor and organization, indicating that they held great importance for the societies that built them. The stones used in their construction were often transported from considerable distances, and the precise alignment of many henges with celestial events such as the solstices and equinoxes suggests a sophisticated understanding of astronomy. Today, henges are recognized as important archaeological sites that provide valuable insights into the beliefs, practices, and capabilities of ancient cultures.

Neolithic, Bronze Age, standing stones, prehistoric monument, archaeology

— John Armstrong