What purpose was Stonehenge built for?

Answer 1

It's not an easy question to answer, not directly that is. What is for sure is that our interpretations of its 'purpose' are very likely to be wrong, for example there is not scrap of archaeological evidence that Stonehenge ever functioned as 'an observatory' that is a modern myth. That said it has an axis of alignment fixed on the shortest and longest days of the year (the winter and summer solstices). If we are to get near to understanding its purpose we need to know what went into its design, and that can be answered.

If we look closely we see a geometrically accurate piece of architecture, one that is designed precisely around mirrored symmetry (set either side of the axis). 'Astronomical' events tend not to be 'symmetrical' when translated into features and the ground, and such alignments that exist are to be found between the stones themselves , not to distant objects or sight lines. In short Stonehenge was designed on a drawing board, largely prefabricated, and somehow reflects a prehistoric cosmology, a religion - that was concerned with harmonious mirrored symmetry.

Answer 2

Archaeological evidence found by the Stonehenge Riverside Project in 2008 indicates that Stonehenge could have been a burial ground from its earliest beginnings. The dating of cremated remains found on the site indicate that deposits contain human bone from as early as 3000 BC

Answer 3

Speculation on the reason it was built range from human sacrifice to astronomy.

Answer 4

Archaeological evidence found by the Stonehenge Riverside Project in 2008 indicates that Stonehenge could have been a burial ground from its earliest beginnings

Answer 5

Stonehedge was build to be a burial

Answer 6

It was not Egyptian