How do we know what stone henge was used for?

Question

I’ve seen it said that Stonehenge was used for astronomical purposes, but how do we know? The structure was in ruins and there wasn’t even written language back then. Are these just assumptions?

In: 0

Answer 1

We don’t. What we know is that Stonehenge is very accurate as a calendar. As a result, we suspect that it was a calendar.

Answer 2

The central altar and surrounding pillars are aligned exactly with the sunset on the winter solstice – this is unlikely to be an accident.

Now what exactly they did there, and in service of what gods and rituals? That’s a mystery.

These same people built many similar stone circles and megaliths throughout the isles, frequently aligned with the solar calendar and all for purposes unknown.