Henges are ancient architectural structures primarily found in the British Isles, though similar features have been located in other parts of Europe. They date back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age, roughly between 3100 and 900 BC. Characteristically, a henge includes a circular or oval-shaped bank and a ditch with one or more entrances leading to the interior. Unlike defensive earthworks, which have a bank on the inside and a ditch on the outside, henges typically have the ditch inside the bank. This construction suggests that henges were not built for defensive purposes but likely served as ceremonial or ritual sites. The exact purpose remains a subject of speculation, but it is clear they were significant in the societies that built them.
The most famous henge is undoubtedly Stonehenge, located in the English county of Wiltshire. Stonehenge is unique because it is a combination of a henge and a stone circle, featuring a ring of standing stones set within earthworks. This site, dating back to around 2500 BC, has become symbolic of Britain's mysterious prehistoric past. Archaeological evidence suggests that Stonehenge had multiple phases of construction and may have been used for a variety of ceremonial and religious purposes. The alignment of the stones with the sunrise during the summer solstice suggests that it might have functioned as a solar calendar.
Another notable henge is Avebury, also in Wiltshire, which is actually larger than Stonehenge and encompasses a whole village. The Avebury henge features a massive circular bank and ditch enclosing an area of about 28 acres, within which stand several large stones. Studies indicate that the Avebury stones were erected around 2600 BC, and like Stonehenge, their precise arrangement is believed to hold astronomical significance. The site is less preserved than Stonehenge due to historical pillaging and destruction, but it still offers important insights into Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial practices.
Beyond these prominent examples, numerous other henges dot the landscape of the British Isles, each adding a piece to the puzzle of our prehistoric past. The Durrington Walls, for example, located just a couple of miles from Stonehenge, is another significant site. It is believed to have been a residential area for the builders of Stonehenge, with its own ceremonial pathways and structures. Henges, whether standalone monuments or part of larger ceremonial landscapes, provide a fascinating glimpse into ancient rituals and social structures. They invite us to ponder the beliefs, astronomical knowledge, and the communal efforts of our distant ancestors, highlighting the depth of human ingenuity long before the written word.