Archaeologists who have been excavating the Stonehenge for the first time in forty years have broken through a new level of soil. What they found may finally explain the reasoning behind the construction of this monument.
Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plain
The research team has unearthed sockets that once held smaller bluestones, most of which are missing. These indicate that Stonehenge was a place of healing, probably of the magical type. The scientists now need to obtain organic material from these holes to date when the stones first arrived at the site.
Professors Darvill and Wainwright, who lead the dig, say that finding out more about the history of the bluestones could be key to solving the mystery of why the 4,500-year-old landmark was erected. They personally believe that the bluestones, which were transported 250 km from Wales to the Salisbury Plain, were brought to the site because the ancient people believed they had healing properties. The giant sarsen stones, now the trademark of the site, came from about 20 km away the actual site and were brought much later, were thought to have arrived much later.
Along with the bluestones, the scientists have also found other archeological artifacts such as pottery and ancient, crude stone mallets. This is truly a fascinating development that may answer a question posed since Stonehenge’s discovery.
