Monday 19 November 2012

The Avenue to Stonehenge


The Avenue was probably not used for processions or for hauling the stones (English Heritage report 031 page 34 and 35).

One other use is to create perspective for an assembly of people: The land at Stonehenge Bottom is fairly flat and leads to a slope which climbs about 5 metres over 100 metres before flattening off. As you walk towards Stonehenge, the lower-most parts of the monument gradually disappear from sight. 

Because the ground slopes up, the banks of the Avenue would have had a focal point some 4  metres or so above the ground:



This gradual curve upwards allows anyone on the Avenue to always be able to see the top of Stonehenge. The heel stone also starts to become more prominent from about half way along the Avenue.

Stonehenge today as seen from north of avenue near Stonehenge bottom: From left to right: Mound, Heel-stone, Stonehenge:



The Avenue (image from an external link):



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