Stonehenge: manmade or magic?

Giants brought a set of giant stones with magical healing powers to Ireland. A few years later, Merlin the Magician moved the stones to a field in England, where they still stand today. This is just one of the stories people tell to explain the origin of Stonehenge, an ancient monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire made up of giant stones arranged in concentric circles.

One of the most fascinating things about this famous monument is how little we know about it. Historians say that people erected the stones around 2,500 BC and used the area as a burial ground. However, they can say little for certain about how the stones got there or what they were used for, and this has led to a lot of Stonehenge stories about magic, giants and even aliens.

It is possible that Stonehenge was used as an ancient astronomical calendar to predict celestial events. On most days you can't see the sunrise from the middle of Stonehenge. But on the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year, you can see the sun rise directly over one of the main stones, called the Heel Stone. The Heel Stone is about 4.9 metres above ground, weighs up to 35 tons and leans towards the middle of the circle.

When Stonehenge first opened to the public, people were allowed to walk among the stones and even climb onto them. But in 1997, the stones were roped off because of damage. You can visit Stonehenge most days for £7.50 but should check this website for restrictions, especially during important celestial events, such as the summer and winter solstice and the spring and autumn equinox.