Theory 1
One widely accepted theory as to the origins of Stonehenge is this; Stonehenge was developed by three different tribes in three different stages.
It is believed that the first stage started around 3100 BC where a large earthwork or henge,was built. This comprised of a ditch, bank and the Aubrey holes. (a ring of 56 chalk holes) These holes are 1 metre wide and deep. A henge made of wood was also put into place.
The second stage started around 2150BC. In this 82 bluestones were transported from Preseli Mountains to the site. This would've taken many hundreds of men and covered 240 miles or 386 kilometres.
The third stage started around 2000BC. In this stage Sarsen stones were brought to the site from the Marlborough Downs. Now these stones weigh up to 50 tonnes each and this would've taken at least 600 men to complete this journey. The journey would've covered over 500 miles or 804 kilometres. On arrival, these were arranged in an outer circle with a continuous run of lintels. Inside the circle, five trilithons were placed in a horseshoe arrangement.
In regards to who built what, it is believed that the windmill people constructed stage 1, the Beaker people stage 2 and the wessex people stage 3.
Evaluation:
There is evidence, which shows that it is possible for the stones to be transported to the site. However, it would’ve taken many hundred men and covered several hundred km’s.
In source 1, excerpt iii.) it is shown that Stonehenge was built in different stages and by different people. :
‘The distinct change in dressing techniques between the Bluestone Horseshoe/Sarsen Horseshoe and the Sarsen Circle is also of particular significance; it is difficult to conceive why these techniques should be different if these elements were contemporary, unless the two groups of stones were dressed by different people.’
The reliability of this theory is great, it is a widely known and accepted theory by most, including historians, archaeologists and the like. The source mentioned above is also quite reliable as this has been discovered as a result of an archeological excavation.
This theory is also quite useful as it places dates on when certain stages were built which is useful as it shows the development of society throughout the Bronze age.
The fact that the theory is accepted by many is also helpful. This means that many different people and their perspectives of why stonehenge was built agree on this which shows no bias towards this theory.
What is the evidence for the people?
The Windmill people:
They lived in the area of Salisbury beginning around 3000BC and were famers. From a secondary source called Stonehenge decoded by G.S. Hawkins he talks about how they constructed enclosures. ‘made by digging circular ditches around a knoll’. There is evidence they would’ve built enclosures.
The Beaker People:
They lived in the area around 2000BC, ‘they inhumed there dead one by one, or at most two by two, in small round graves marked by mounds.’ G.S Hawkins wrote. In Clue 4 there is shown the human remains of an inhumed human being, it is a young male and found near the site were the remains of ‘beakers’ or pottery drinking cups, a custom of the beaker people.
The Wessex people:
They lived in the area 1700 BC. They also buried there dead, however they buried them with daggers and bows as well. ‘Those Wessex rulers… were buried amid the splendid trappings of their busy, successful, wide-ranging lives, beneath mounds which still dot the countryside today.’ said G.S. Hawkins.
Problems?
The problem with this theory is that due to the varied lifestyles and way of life the people who occupied the area had it is hard to tell whether there actually was three peoples or two or one. Perhaps there were more people groups who may have lived in the area and worked on Stonehenge yet because we weren’t there at the time we will never know.
Another problem is that some historians/archaeologists believe there to be evidence of Roman interference,however evidence for this is inconclusive.
It is believed that the first stage started around 3100 BC where a large earthwork or henge,was built. This comprised of a ditch, bank and the Aubrey holes. (a ring of 56 chalk holes) These holes are 1 metre wide and deep. A henge made of wood was also put into place.
The second stage started around 2150BC. In this 82 bluestones were transported from Preseli Mountains to the site. This would've taken many hundreds of men and covered 240 miles or 386 kilometres.
The third stage started around 2000BC. In this stage Sarsen stones were brought to the site from the Marlborough Downs. Now these stones weigh up to 50 tonnes each and this would've taken at least 600 men to complete this journey. The journey would've covered over 500 miles or 804 kilometres. On arrival, these were arranged in an outer circle with a continuous run of lintels. Inside the circle, five trilithons were placed in a horseshoe arrangement.
In regards to who built what, it is believed that the windmill people constructed stage 1, the Beaker people stage 2 and the wessex people stage 3.
Evaluation:
There is evidence, which shows that it is possible for the stones to be transported to the site. However, it would’ve taken many hundred men and covered several hundred km’s.
In source 1, excerpt iii.) it is shown that Stonehenge was built in different stages and by different people. :
‘The distinct change in dressing techniques between the Bluestone Horseshoe/Sarsen Horseshoe and the Sarsen Circle is also of particular significance; it is difficult to conceive why these techniques should be different if these elements were contemporary, unless the two groups of stones were dressed by different people.’
The reliability of this theory is great, it is a widely known and accepted theory by most, including historians, archaeologists and the like. The source mentioned above is also quite reliable as this has been discovered as a result of an archeological excavation.
This theory is also quite useful as it places dates on when certain stages were built which is useful as it shows the development of society throughout the Bronze age.
The fact that the theory is accepted by many is also helpful. This means that many different people and their perspectives of why stonehenge was built agree on this which shows no bias towards this theory.
What is the evidence for the people?
The Windmill people:
They lived in the area of Salisbury beginning around 3000BC and were famers. From a secondary source called Stonehenge decoded by G.S. Hawkins he talks about how they constructed enclosures. ‘made by digging circular ditches around a knoll’. There is evidence they would’ve built enclosures.
The Beaker People:
They lived in the area around 2000BC, ‘they inhumed there dead one by one, or at most two by two, in small round graves marked by mounds.’ G.S Hawkins wrote. In Clue 4 there is shown the human remains of an inhumed human being, it is a young male and found near the site were the remains of ‘beakers’ or pottery drinking cups, a custom of the beaker people.
The Wessex people:
They lived in the area 1700 BC. They also buried there dead, however they buried them with daggers and bows as well. ‘Those Wessex rulers… were buried amid the splendid trappings of their busy, successful, wide-ranging lives, beneath mounds which still dot the countryside today.’ said G.S. Hawkins.
Problems?
The problem with this theory is that due to the varied lifestyles and way of life the people who occupied the area had it is hard to tell whether there actually was three peoples or two or one. Perhaps there were more people groups who may have lived in the area and worked on Stonehenge yet because we weren’t there at the time we will never know.
Another problem is that some historians/archaeologists believe there to be evidence of Roman interference,however evidence for this is inconclusive.