Was Stonehenge built to integrate newcomers in ancient Britain?

Was Stonehenge built to integrate newcomers in ancient Britain?

Stonehenge has long fascinated the world and its true purpose is still a question. Recent discoveries suggest that the iconic monument was a religious site or an astronomical calendar. However, one study reveals it as a bold attempt to unite the diverse farming communities of ancient Britain.

Altar stone was the core of the new theory. The stone was transported 700 kilometers from Scotland and it was not just about moving heavy rocks, but also about what the stones represented. Leading archaeologist Mike Parker Pearson believes that the altar stone may have been taken from a Scottish monument and as a symbol of alliance or shared purpose. It is as if ancient Britons were saying that they are all part of something big.

Stonehenge used stones from across the British Isles to make it a unique and inclusive structure. It was not accidental, but reflected a desire to bring people together during a period of change when new arrivals from mainland Europe were interacting with existing communities.

Building Stonehenge around 2500 BCE was not easy as it required incredible effort and collaboration.

History tells that the unity didn’t last and genetic studies reveal that the incoming “beaker people” eventually replaced much of the earlier population.

The new perspective on Stonehenge challenges the way the world has looked at it for generations. It was not just a temple or a scientific tool, but it was a political and cultural statement.