Truth About Stonehenge Discovered

In a strange twist of events, all debate concerning Stonehenge has been solved by Americans. True enlightenment has come with the simplicity befitting Occam's Razor.



Drawn from information gleaned from an article in Wikipedia:

Introduction

Stonehenge is a Neolithic and Bronze Age monument located near Amesbury in the English county of Wiltshire, about 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Salisbury. It is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones, known as megaliths. There is some debate about the age of the stone circle, but most archaeologists think that it was mainly constructed between 2500 BC and 2000 BC. The older circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute perhaps the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC.

Dating and understanding the various phases of activity at Stonehenge is not a simple task; it is complicated by poorly-kept early excavation records, surprisingly few accurate scientific dates and the disturbance of the natural chalk by periglacial effects and animal burrowing.

Phases of Development

Phase 1. This first stage is dated to around 3100 BC after which the ditch began to silt up naturally. The pits may have contained standing timbers although there is no excavated evidence of them.

Phase 2. Evidence of the second phase is no longer visible.

Phase 3i. Again, there is little firm dating evidence for this phase. The Heel Stone (5) may also have been erected outside the north eastern entrance during this period although it cannot be securely dated and may have been installed at any time in phase 3.

Phase 3ii. They are difficult to date but are morphologically similar to later Bronze Age weapons. This ambitious phase is radiocarbon dated to between 2440 and 2100 BC.

Phase 3iii. Later in the Bronze Age, the bluestones appear to have been re-erected for the first time although the precise details of this period are still unclear.

Phase 3iv. Some archaeologists argue... The Altar Stone may have been...

Phase 3v. ...Bluestone circle was removed...

Phase 3vi. These were each of thirty pits and each seems... Monument building at Stonehenge appears to have been...

Archaeoastronomy

It is unlikely that such an alignment can have been merely accidental.

Their theories have faced criticism in recent decades from Richard Atkinson and others who have suggested impracticalities in the 'Stone Age calculator' interpretative approach. Today, the consensus is that some of the astronomical case, although not all, was overstated. This alignment, therefore, must have been fundamental to the design and placement of at least some of Stonehenge's phases.

Ritual Landscape

There is no satisfactory evidence to suggest that Stonehenge's astronomical alignments were anything more than symbolic and current interpretations favour a ritual role for the monument that takes into account its numerous burials and its presence within a wider landscape of sacred sites.

Construction Techniques and Design

Much speculation has surrounded the engineering feats required to build Stonehenge.

Conclusion

...a symbol of something that continues to confound mainstream archaeology.

We are confounded no longer. A recent Pennsylvania court ruling has settled all debate once and for all. Whatever one's personal belief concerning the erection and meaning of Stonehenge, it has now been determined officially that Stonehenge is a product of Chance Evolution and not Intelligent Design.

Next case! All bow... Court is now in session.