Story
On the wide, green plains of southern England stands one of the most mysterious monuments in the world—Stonehenge. This circle of giant stones has stood for more than 4,000 years. Every year, millions of people visit the site, walking among the stones and wondering: Who built it? Why was it built? And how did people move such huge stones without modern machines?
Stonehenge was built around 2500 BCE, during the late Stone Age. It is made up of large upright stones called megaliths, arranged in a circle. Some stones stand more than four meters tall and weigh up to 25 tons. What makes the monument even more amazing is that some stones were placed horizontally on top of others, forming arches. Creating something so complex thousands of years ago must have taken great skill and organization.
Archaeologists have discovered that the stones came from two different places. The smaller stones, called bluestones, were transported from mountains in Wales—over 200 kilometers away. The larger stones, known as sarsens, came from a nearby area, but still would have been very heavy to move. No one knows exactly how the builders transported them. Some scientists think the stones were rolled on wooden logs or pulled on sledges. Others believe they were floated on rafts along rivers.
The purpose of Stonehenge remains one of history’s great mysteries. Some experts believe it was a temple for ancient people to worship the sun or the moon. The stones are aligned with the sunrise on the longest day of the year—the summer solstice. On that day, the sun rises directly above the main stone, which may have had special meaning to the people who built it.
Other theories suggest that Stonehenge was used as a burial ground or a place for healing. Human bones and tools have been found nearby, which may mean that people came to the area to honor their dead or to seek cures for illnesses. Some even think it was an ancient meeting place where communities gathered to celebrate important events.
In the past, myths and legends surrounded Stonehenge. One old story said that the wizard Merlin, from the legends of King Arthur, used magic to move the stones from Ireland to England. Others claimed giants built it. Today, scientists use modern technology—like radar, computer modeling, and DNA analysis—to study the site, but the true story of Stonehenge is still incomplete.
Stonehenge remains a symbol of mystery, creativity, and human achievement. It shows that even thousands of years ago, people could plan, design, and build extraordinary things.
Standing silently against the English sky, the stones of Stonehenge remind us that the past is full of secrets—and that some mysteries may never be completely solved.
Vocabulary List
Tap the speaker to hear each word.
- megalith — A very large stone used to build a monument.
- bluestone — A type of stone used at Stonehenge, brought from far away.
- sarsen — The larger local stones at Stonehenge.
- raft — A simple, flat boat made of logs or boards.
- align — To put things in a straight line or correct position.
- summer solstice — The longest day of the year in summer.
- burial ground — A place where people are buried after death.
- legend — An old, traditional story that may not be true.
- radar — A system that uses radio waves to find objects.
- DNA analysis — Scientific tests that study genetic material.
Comprehension Questions
- What is Stonehenge, and where is it located?
- How old is Stonehenge, and what are its stones called?
- What are two possible methods people might have used to move the stones?
- Why do some experts think Stonehenge was used as a temple?
- What other theories exist about the purpose of Stonehenge?
- How do myths and modern science both try to explain Stonehenge?
- What does Stonehenge show us about people who lived thousands of years ago?