Stonehenge, an iconic monument in Wiltshire, England, is one of Europe's most fascinating archaeological sites. Its construction spanned nearly 1,500 years, from 3,100 to 1,600 BC, revealing remarkable cultural continuity. The site consists of several concentric structures: an outer circular ditch, Aubrey holes, and the famous circle of sarsen stones topped with horizontal lintels forming trilithons. At the centre is a horseshoe of blue stones, transported 240 kilometres from the Preseli Mountains in Wales.
The precise alignment of the stones with the summer and winter solstices suggests an astronomical and ritual function. Recent archaeological discoveries reveal a major burial complex, with more than 60 cremations identified. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, Stonehenge attracts more than a million visitors annually, testifying to its universal cultural significance.
