Stonehenge, the English circle of stones, is well known to people as many things – an altar, an astronomy tool and in some stories even a gateway to other times and worlds. It’s not the only stone circle in the world, however. There are other such stone circles all over the world, many containing one astronomy henge stone or even an entire grouping of them. As a matter of interest, the name Stonehenge comes from Henge, Old English for the structure it describes. Oddly, henge doesn’t mean circle or even stone, it means hang. It refers to the Stonehenge site specifically as horizontal stones were hung around the circle by placing them on top of vertical stone pillars. Over time the hanging part of the concept was lost, so any such stone circle was referred to as a henge. There is one condition. The circle of stones must be placed within a circle of earth, either raised above or dropped below the surrounding area. If there’s no such earthen circle, the henge is just a circle of stones.

While many of these stone henges, including the famous Stonehenge, were used as burial grounds and sacrificial sites, almost all of them have some element related to astronomy. It’s sometimes argued whether or not these stone formations were built for astronomy first, but there’s no doubt of building skill and scientific know how that went into erecting them. The elements that have to do with astronomy include the markings of important dates, such as the summer or winter solstice, when the sun would rise at a point marked exactly by a stone placement. This could include an opening, like a lens, coinciding with the sun’s position. Stonehenge has an amazing array of astronomical measures built into the circle. It’s not important if they were the design for the site or an afterthought. They still represent a great skill and knowledge.

A lesser known but no less spectacular henge is the Avebury Henge located in Wiltshire. Many small stone circles surround it, and the town of Avebury is inside it. It’s astronomical purposes are well known as many of the stones were placed according to exacting calculations. In addition the stones came in two types, tall female and squat male, possibly having to do with gender and ancestor worship. Some archaeologists dispute this, however, claiming the stones were chosen for no other reason than their beauty and size.

It may be a compelling idea to grab an authentic astronomy henge stone to set up in your living room. Not only would you never be able to lift them, they aren’t really important when taken away from their setting. Make a replica instead.

Stonehenge, the English circle of stones, is well known to people as many things – an altar, an astronomy tool and in some stories even a gateway to other times and worlds. But although famous, Stonehenge isn’t unique. The world is full of other similar circles, some with one astronomy henge stone, others with many. The term henge is derived from the Old English word, henge, that became part of the Stonehenge name. Henge doesn’t mean circle or stone or earthwork, it means hang. To create Stonehenge special stones were hung on top of vertical pillars. The name eventually came to denote a variety of similar sites, generally populated by some sort of stone formation within an earthen circle. But a henge only refers to stones set within an earthen circle. Without the earthen circle, either raised or dropped to be lower than the surrounding ground, it isn’t a henge, but rather a stone circle.

All of these stone henges have some astronomical purpose, even though they’re considered burial grounds or sites for sacrifices. Even today scientists marvel at the precision contained within these structures. The elements that have to do with astronomy include the markings of important dates, such as the summer or winter solstice, when the sun would rise at a point marked exactly by a stone placement. This might include the sun being viewable through a tiny window at sunrise from a point at the center of a circle. Stonehenge includes a number of precise measurements. It’s not important if they were the design for the site or an afterthought. They still represent a great skill and knowledge.

Less famous but no less amazing is Wiltshire’s Avebury Henge. The henge neighbors a number of other smaller stone circles, and encompasses the entire town of Avebury. It is believed that this henge had astronomical purposes as many of its stones, now mostly fallen, had positions that corresponded with key phenomenon. In addition there were elements of ancestry and gender concerns in the design, because it had male and female looking stones. Some archaeologists dispute this, however, claiming the stones were chosen for no other reason than their beauty and size.

It may be a compelling idea to grab an authentic astronomy henge stone to set up in your living room. But they’re meaningless when removed from their earthen circles. Try painting an image of one instead.