The stones of Stonehenge have endured centuries of weathering and erosion. (Image: © ivanovsky | Shutterstock) Stonehenge is a massive stone monument located on a chalky plain north of the modern-day city of Salisbury, England.

How much do the stones at Stonehenge weigh?

There great quantities of sarsens still lie across in the landscape, although their exact origin is not known. On average the sarsens weigh 25 tons, with the largest stone, the Heel Stone, weighing about 30 tons. Bluestone is the term used to refer to the smaller stones at Stonehenge.

When was Stonehenge added to the World Heritage List?

The site and its surroundings were added to UNESCO ‘s list of World Heritage Sites in 1986. Stonehenge is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage; the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust.

How old are the Palisades at Stonehenge?

By 5,300 years ago two massive eyeglass-shaped wooden palisades, which were set ablaze during ceremonies, were constructed at Avebury, near Stonehenge. At Stonehenge, more construction occurred around 5,000 years ago with postholes indicating that either bluestones or upright timber posts were propped up on the site.

What is Stonehenge in Europe and North America?

Europe and North America. Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument in Wiltshire, England, 2 miles (3 km) west of Amesbury. It consists of a ring of standing stones, with each standing stone around 13 feet (4.0 m) high, 7 feet (2.1 m) wide and weighing around 25 tons.

Why is it called Stonehenge’s sarsen?

This large sarsen gets its gruesome name from the over-active imagination of the Victorians. Originally standing upright at the entrance to Stonehenge and flanked by additional stones that are now missing, the surviving stone lies horizontally.

What are the circles at Stonehenge called?

About the same time the sarsens were erected, two sets of concentric timber circles were built within a large settlement almost 2 miles (3 km) to the northeast of the Stonehenge monument. One of these circles, called the Southern Circle, was set at the centre of an ancient settlement of small houses.