Secrets For 5,000 Years Revealed, This Is The Real Goal Of Stonehenge's Establishment
JAKARTA - Stonehenge is a giant stone monument located in Salisbury Plain, England, has caught the world's attention for more than 5,000 years. Over the centuries, Stonehenge's original goal became a major mystery, with various theories emerging.
Starting from places of worship, astronomical calendars, to the center of healing. However, a recent study finally revealed the true purpose of this magnificent monument.
Reported by VOI from the Daily Mail page on Friday, December 27, 2024, according to a study conducted by scientists from University College London (UCL) and Aberystwyth University, Stonehenge was built as a symbol of unity between three different regions in the UK.
The study states that this monument is an attempt to unite various tribes in the region now known as England, Scotland, and Wales.
Scientists reveal that the large stones that make up Stonehenge are not only from Wiltshire, where this monument stands, but also transported from remote areas, including southwest Wales and northeastern Scotland. These stones, known as the 'bluestones' and 'sarsens', were carefully selected to represent contributions from different communities.
According to the researchers, people from Scotland and Wales brought their local stones to Wiltshire as a form of contribution to Stonehenge's construction. These stones were then installed to create a symbol of strong unity among the tribes that existed at the time.
Although at that time there was no concept of a country like England, Scotland, or Wales, Stonehenge represented the three regions, which in turn united them in one greater identity.
One of Stonehenge's most interesting aspects is the origin of the stones. The large sarsen stone, which gave Stonehenge a distinctive appearance, comes from West Woods in Wiltshire, about 24 kilometers from the monument's location.
But what's even more surprising is the presence of smaller bluestone stones, which came from Craig Rhos-y-Felin in Preseli Hills, Southwest Wales. In fact, the largest stone in Stonehenge, Batu Altar, which is located in the center of the monument, is from northern Scotland, up to 1,000 kilometers away.
This discovery corroborates the theory that Stonehenge is not only a place of worship or an astronomical observatory, but also a monument that combines political and social elements. Carrying stones from a very distant region, Stonehenge became a symbol of the extraordinary long-range collaboration between various tribes in Britain at that time.
The researchers also argue that Stonehenge has a dual goal, which is a place that has political and religious meaning. Although there is no definite evidence of a ritual performed at Stonehenge, this monument is believed to be a place that connects humans with their ancestors and the universe.
Carrying stones from various regions, Stonehenge's builder symbolically linked separate communities, creating stronger ties between them.
"Stonehenge is a unifying monument to the British people, celebrating their eternal relationship with ancestors and the cosmos," said Professor Mike Parker Pearson, lead author of the study.
This shows that Stonehenge is more than just a physical monument, but rather a symbol of a collective identity that covers various aspects of life, both political, social, and spiritual.
This latest research also provides new insight into the relationship between Stonehenge and other regions in the UK.
Archaeological discoveries that show similarities between Neolithic home designs in Orkney, Scotland, and the Durrington Walls settlement near Stonehenge corroborate the theory that there is a close relationship between Salisbury Plain and northern Scotland.
This suggests that Stonehenge may also serve as a gathering place for people from various regions to celebrate the season and changes in the sky, as did sorstis winter and summer.
The study also revealed that Stonehenge was used as a cremation grave for adults during the first five centuries after its construction.
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Many of the people buried in Stonehenge come from outside Salisbury Plain, which suggests that people come from afar to make pilgrimages there, adding to evidence that Stonehenge does have symbolic meaning that goes beyond geographic boundaries.