Stonehenge: a major monument in the heart of a complex prehistoric landscape

Today, Arko presents one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world: Stonehenge. Located in southern England, this circle of standing stones has become a universal symbol of European prehistory. However, behind its iconic image lies a much more nuanced reality: Stonehenge is neither an isolated monument nor a fixed mystery, but a central element of a vast ritual and funerary landscape shaped over several millennia by Neolithic and Bronze Age societies.

The Neolithic period in Great Britain and the chronology of Stonehenge

The British Neolithic period began around 4000 BC, marked by the introduction of agriculture, livestock farming, sedentarisation and new forms of social organisation. It was against this backdrop of profound change that Stonehenge was built, with a history spanning more than 1,500 years.

The first activities on the site date back to around 3000 BC. At that time, Stonehenge took the form of a vast circular enclosure consisting of a ditch and a bank, accompanied by holes dug in the ground, known as the Aubrey Holes. These features indicate that the site already had a strong symbolic dimension, particularly in relation to funerary practices, as evidenced by the numerous cremations that have been discovered.

The most visible monumental phases today developed between 2600 and 2400 BC, during which time the large standing stones were erected. Stonehenge continued to evolve until the beginning of the Bronze Age, before being gradually abandoned as an active construction site.

The monument: organisation and architectural evolution

Stonehenge is distinguished by its sophisticated architecture, which is the result of several successive phases rather than a single project. The monument combines two main types of stone: sarsens, large stones made of local silicified sandstone, and bluestones, which are smaller and come from various geological sources.

The sarsens, some weighing over 25 tonnes, come mainly from the Marlborough Downs, located about 25 kilometres north of the site. They form the outer circle and the famous horseshoe-shaped trilithons in the centre of the monument. Their construction demonstrates a remarkable mastery of stone cutting and assembly, notably through the use of mortise and tenon joints, which are unique in European prehistory.

The bluestones, on the other hand, come from further afield. Geological analyses link them mainly to the Preseli Hills in west Wales, more than 200 kilometres away. Transporting them to Stonehenge, whether by land, river or a combination of both, represented a considerable collective effort.

The layout of the monument also reveals a particular attention to orientation. The main axis of Stonehenge is aligned with the sunrise on the summer solstice and the sunset on the winter solstice, an intentional feature recognised by researchers, without reducing the site to a simple astronomical observatory.

Construction techniques: expertise and collective organisation

The construction of Stonehenge required advanced technical skills for the time. The stones were extracted using stone and wooden tools, then shaped on site. The surfaces were carefully dressed, and some show signs of polishing.

The blocks were probably transported using wooden sledges, rollers, plant-based ropes and human strength. Erecting the stones required deep pits, ramps and gradual backfilling. The precise assembly of the lintels on the vertical posts demonstrates a detailed understanding of stability and load.

These operations required a structured social organisation capable of mobilising and feeding a large workforce over long periods of time. Stonehenge thus reflects not only technical skills, but also forms of cooperation and large-scale planning.

A site at the heart of a monumental landscape

One of the major contributions of recent research is the recognition that Stonehenge is part of a much larger landscape. The site is located in a densely populated area, now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes many contemporary monuments.

In the immediate vicinity are burial mounds, circular enclosures, ceremonial avenues such as the Stonehenge Cursus, connecting the monument to the River Avon, and other large circles of earth and wood, notably Durrington Walls. These sites are closely linked in time and function, forming a coherent ritual landscape.

Research in this area shows that Stonehenge was only one element in a network of places used for processions, seasonal gatherings, burial practices and probably rites related to the cycle of life and death.

Assumptions of use: a multi-purpose venue

Hypotheses about the use of Stonehenge have evolved with archaeological discoveries. Data from excavations clearly show that the site was used as a burial ground, particularly during its early phases. The cremations found there make it one of the largest known Neolithic cemeteries in Britain.

The solstice alignments also suggest a symbolic dimension linked to time, the seasons and the solar cycle. However, researchers now agree that Stonehenge cannot be reduced to a single function. It was probably a place of gathering, collective memory and rituals, whose meaning evolved over generations.

A key monument for understanding European prehistory

Stonehenge remains an exceptional site, not because of its isolation, but because of its ability to concentrate and express the major social, technical and symbolic transformations of prehistory. Integrated into a complex monumental landscape, it bears witness to a profound relationship between human communities, their environment and their beliefs.

For Arko, Stonehenge perfectly illustrates the importance of placing each monument in its overall archaeological context. Understanding Stonehenge means above all understanding the landscape, the societies and the long period of time that shaped it.

Links

English Heritage page dedicated to Stonehenge: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/history-and-stories/

Page dedicated to Stonehenge on the UNESCO website: https://whc.unesco.org/fr/list/373/

Page dedicated to the landscapes around Stonehenge on the UK National Trust website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stonehenge-landscape