Construction

The construction of Stonehenge is as much a theory as its developmental purpose. In fact, there are several theories.

Since it has been discovered that Stonehenge was developed during the Stone Age without the wheel and other necessary developments, the hours it took for this construction is estimated in the near 40 millions of man-hours. Based on this calculated theory, it is believed that Stonehenge was created within one thousand to fifteen hundred years of construction.

These stones were not found in the immediate area, and the closest rocks similar to those in Stonehenge were found nearly two hundred miles away from Stonehenge in what is today known as Wales. Theories suggest that Stonehenge was built possibly in several stages.

Baskets

Several theories suggest how these stones were moved. The first theory suggests that baskets were weaved and created large enough to transport these stones. At this time in the Stone Age, evidence found throughout England suggests that basket weaving was, in fact, viable and a technique used. This would suggest that a few men would pick up these stones and move them onto these weaved baskets, carrying them back 200 miles until they reached the destination of Stonehenge.

stonehenge-dawn

This theory would also be applied to the builders placing those flat rocks atop the others. It would have taken quite a bit of time, but it would have explained the construction.

3734255429_3fe5a06ef3_z

Rocks Moving Rocks

Another Theory suggests that perhaps they use smaller rocks to manipulate the direction of the rocks, turning them on their side and then sliding them back 200 miles to the Stonehenge location. This technology of using smaller rocks to shift and manipulate larger objects is found throughout the Stone Age history and discoveries, making this theory entirely feasible. Using this same method, builders could have used these smaller rocks to manipulate and place them flat atop the others once they were up there.

Glaciers

Considering the Stone Age time period and how it begins following the Ice Age, the idea of Glaciers doing most of the work and shifting rocks on the ice during this time, as it began to shift. Quite possibly with this theory, most of these if not all of the stones would have been deposited in this centralized area, leaving man to only organize and stack the rocks into their circular shape. While this theory suggests how the rocks made it to the area, the construction would have to be by utilizing one of the aforementioned theories.

All of these techniques would have been feasible in the time period and options for any other technique would be very slim to none without more modern developments.

While we can speculate on how Stonehenge was developed, there is no solid answer as to its construction. Theories can be tested and they have been, suggested a few different ways that it could have been developed without modern technology. It is safe to assume that no matter which theory is correct, the construction of Stonehenge was well before its time.

stones-snowhenge