Stonehenge

Dating back to nearly 3000 BC, this megalith, or big stone structure, was erected in England. The function is still unknown; however, archaeologists have speculated that it was for astronomical and ritual purposes.

The first stage of construction consisted of a circular ditch and banks approximately 330 feet in diameter, and an upright stone near the entrance. It is also believed that there were once wood poles, which have since been removed. Later stages consisted of constructing the circular and horseshoe-shaped stone elements in the center of Stonehenge.

Several different types of stone were used, but the circular element used a type of sandstone, Sardsen. Thirty of these upright stones were evenly spaced in a circle and then a ring of stones were laid on the upright ones. This process is known as post-and-lintel construction.