Though many questions surrounding the origins of Stonehenge still exist, archeologists now believe they know why it was erected in the first place. Researchers from University of London’s Institute of Archaeology argue that the stones used to build Stonehenge were originally part of a Welsh tomb. While it has been known for some time that the bluestones originated in the Preseli Mountains in Wales, archeologists have long wondered why and how the stones made it to their final resting place. The “why” has likely been answered, but the exact nature of the “how” has yet to be discovered.
Professor Mike Parker Pearson, who’s part of the University of London’s team, thinks the Welsh reused the stones as a way of bringing their ancestors with them when they traveled to Wiltshire, England. “Their idea of packing their luggage was rather more deep and meaningful than our own. They are actually moving their heritage, and these stones represent the ancestors. They are actually bringing their ancestors with them. The more we find out about Neolithic society, their culture, and religion, it is focused on the ancestral dead. If you build in stone for the dead, that is a society that is worshiping its ancestors,” professor Parker Pearson said.
Below, watch a stunning time-lapse video of Britain’s sights, including shots of Stonehenge.
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