Stonehenge - Archaeological Research

Archaeological research has been a major focus around Stonehenge, and much has been learned about the monument. Some of the key archaeological research around Stonehenge includes:

Mapping

Mapping has also played an important role in understanding the layout and significance of Stonehenge. In recent years, high-resolution mapping technology has been used to create detailed 3D models of the site, which have helped to reveal new details about the monument and its construction. There have been several mapping surveys conducted at Stonehenge over the years, each of which has helped to build a more detailed picture of the monument and its surrounding landscape. Here are some of the most significant mapping surveys that have been carried out at Stonehenge:

1. Ordnance Survey Mapping: The Ordnance Survey, which is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, has been involved in mapping the Stonehenge landscape since the 19th century. The Ordnance Survey has produced a range of maps of the area, including detailed topographic maps that show the contours of the land, as well as geological maps that show the distribution of different rock types.

2. RCHME Mapping: The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME) carried out a detailed mapping survey of the Stonehenge landscape in the 1980s. This survey involved the use of aerial photography, ground-based surveying, and other techniques to produce a detailed map of the monument and its surrounding features.

3. English Heritage Mapping: English Heritage, which manages the Stonehenge site, has conducted a number of mapping surveys in recent years. These have included the use of geophysical techniques such as magnetometry and ground-penetrating radar to map the subsurface features of the site, as well as the use of drones to produce high-resolution aerial images.

4. Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project: The Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project, which was carried out between 2010 and 2014, involved a comprehensive mapping survey of the Stonehenge landscape using a range of techniques, including aerial photography, geophysical surveying, and laser scanning. This project helped to reveal new details about the layout and construction of the monument, as well as the presence of previously unknown features in the surrounding landscape.

Study of Burial Mounds

The burial mounds in the Stonehenge landscape are an important feature of the site, and the study of their history has provided insights into the social and cultural context of the people who built and used Stonehenge. Here are some key points about the study of the Stonehenge burial mounds:

1. Historical Records: The first detailed accounts of the burial mounds around Stonehenge date back to the 17th century, when the antiquarian John Aubrey described several of the mounds in his writings. Since then, various records, maps, and documents have been used to track the history of the mounds.

2. Archaeological Excavations: Archaeological excavations have been carried out at several of the burial mounds in the Stonehenge landscape, beginning in the early 19th century with the work of William Cunnington. These excavations have revealed a wealth of information about the construction, use, and chronology of the mounds.

3. Dating Techniques: Various dating techniques have been used to help establish the age of the burial mounds. These include radiocarbon dating, which can be used to date organic materials such as bone and wood found in the mounds, and luminescence dating, which can be used to date the sediments surrounding the mounds.

4. Landscape Analysis: The burial mounds in the Stonehenge landscape are not isolated features, but are part of a larger cultural and natural landscape. Analysis of the wider landscape around the mounds has helped to reveal new details about their significance and purpose, as well as the social and cultural context of the people who built and used them.

Dating Techniques

Dating techniques have been used to help establish the age and chronology of Stonehenge and its surrounding landscape. Here is a brief summary of when some of the dating technique experiments were conducted:

1. Radiocarbon dating: Radiocarbon dating is a technique used to date organic materials such as bone, wood, and charcoal. Radiocarbon dating experiments were first carried out at Stonehenge in the 1950s, and have been conducted on a variety of materials found in and around the monument. This technique has helped to establish the timeline of different phases of construction at the site, and has been used to date both human and animal remains.

2. Dendrochronology: Dendrochronology is a technique that uses tree rings to date wooden objects. Dendrochronology experiments were carried out at Stonehenge in the 1980s, and helped to establish the date of the construction of the timber circles that predate the stone monument.

3. Luminescence dating: Luminescence dating is a technique that can be used to date sediments and other materials by measuring the amount of light emitted by electrons trapped within the material. Luminescence dating experiments have been carried out at Stonehenge since the 1990s, and have been used to date sediments surrounding the monument and to establish the age of the burial mounds in the surrounding landscape.

4. Astronomical Alignments: Astronomical alignments have been used to estimate the age of Stonehenge, by studying the alignment of the stones with the sun and stars. These experiments have been ongoing for several decades, and have helped to establish the significance of the solstice alignments at the site.

Analysis of the Stones

Analysis of the stones themselves has also been a key part of archaeological research around Stonehenge. This has included examination of the chemical composition of the stones, which has helped to identify the sources of the different types of stone used in the monument. Analysis has also been done on the tool marks and other features of the stones to better understand the methods used to shape and transport them.

Analysis of the stones used in the construction of Stonehenge has been an important part of archaeological research around the monument, and has helped to shed light on the history and construction of the site. Here is a brief history of the analysis of the stones at Stonehenge:

1. Early Observations: Early observers of Stonehenge noted that the stones appeared to be of different types, with the larger sarsen stones likely originating from the Marlborough Downs, and the smaller bluestones possibly coming from the Preseli Hills in Wales. These observations helped to spark early interest in the geological origins of the stones.

2. Petrological Analysis: In the early 20th century, petrological analysis was used to study the stones at Stonehenge. This involves the use of microscopes and other techniques to study the mineral composition of the stones. This work revealed that the sarsen stones are made of a type of sandstone known as silcrete, while the bluestones are made of a variety of different rock types, including rhyolite, dolerite, and tuff.

3. Chemical Analysis: In the latter half of the 20th century, chemical analysis became an important tool for studying the stones at Stonehenge. This involved the use of techniques such as X-ray fluorescence and mass spectrometry to study the chemical composition of the stones. Chemical analysis has helped to confirm the origins of the bluestones in Wales, and has provided insight into the methods used to shape and transport the stones.

4. Geophysical Survey: In recent years, geophysical survey techniques such as ground-penetrating radar and magnetometry have been used to study the subsurface features of the site. These techniques have revealed new details about the layout and construction of the monument, as well as the presence of underground features such as pits and postholes.