Stonehenge is the world famous, prehistoric monument sited upon Salisbury plain ten miles or so to the north of the town Salisbury, England. The largest prehistoric monument in Europe, its history stretches back thousands of years, being started in around 2800 BC.

It is a site of great historic interest, but there is no single answer to the question "why was it built and what is its purpose". There are as many theories as there are stones, ranging an astronomical observatory, calender, evidence of an advanced pre-historical society and a religious temple where human sacrifice took place.

Today it has become the focus for many diverse groups, all of whom claim something from the site. Druids, or more accurately a romantic Victorian idealised Druidism, and although there has been no clear evidence that the site has had a Druidic link at all, have claimed it as their own. 'New Age' spirituality seekers and travellers, obsessed with creating their own belief pathways by assembling an ad-hoc spirituality from elements of other ancient belief structures, contest their rights to have access to the stones.

This contest has led to some restrictions being placed upon the monument which cause much dispute. Tourists, now fenced and restrained from wandering through the magnificent stones, stamp with frustration. A British government, charged with the monument's protection, over-reacts with draconian 'security' measures that further alienate those who feel attached to the stones...

An interesting 'fact', 'known' by most people; is that Stonehenge is positioned such that on the equinoxes and the solstices, the sun rising over the horizon appears to be perfectly placed between gaps in the megaliths, a fact revered by Druids and New Agers alike. Most people don't realise however, that this is purely coincidental - the Earth's orbit has shifted several times in the 5000 years since Stonehenge was built, and at the time of its construction, the sun would not have lined up with the gaps at all! Although recent discoveries show that it may have aligned with other significant celestial bodies, the reasons behind such alignment cannot be comprehended.

The answer to all these claims and counter claims is a long way off, and perhaps may never be known. Its use has changed throughout the long period since its first construction, each age apportioning meaning and symbolism to it - possibly radically different to what occurred before. What has to be realised is that the monument is, and should not be, owned by any specific group, rather it belongs to all, and then again to no-one. Stonehenge is, and should be, a clear and powerful reminder of the vitality, vibrancy and intellectual, spiritual and creative capabilities of our ancestors.

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