In the heart of Wiltshire, England, stands Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument that has captivated imaginations for centuries. Its towering stones, arranged in a precise celestial alignment, whisper tales of ancient rituals, forgotten peoples, and mysteries that defy easy explanation. While our first post explored the broad strokes of prehistoric and Roman ghostlore, this deep dive focuses on Stonehenge itself—its known history, the fantastical legends it inspired, and other enigmatic ancient sites across Britain that continue to shroud the landscape in wonder.

The Historical Enigma of Stonehenge

Stonehenge is not merely a collection of rocks; it is a testament to the ingenuity and collective effort of ancient Britons. Constructed over generations, beginning around 8000–7000 BCE with early Mesolithic hunter-gatherer activity, the monument as we know it today took shape much later, with the erection of its giant sarsens (a type of sandstone) between 2620 BCE and 2480 BCE.¹ What makes its construction even more remarkable is the origin of its stones: while the massive sarsens came from nearby Marlborough Downs, the smaller “bluestones” were transported from the Preseli Hills in western Wales, a journey of over 150 miles.² This monumental feat, achieved without modern tools, suggests a highly organized society and a project of immense significance.

The precise purpose of Stonehenge remains a subject of fervent debate among archaeologists and historians. It was presumably a religious site, an expression of the power and wealth of the chieftains, aristocrats, and priests who commissioned its construction.² Its alignment with the sun during the winter and summer solstices suggests an astronomical function, possibly used for observing celestial bodies and charting the farming calendar.¹ Evidence of human cremation burials within and around the monument also points to its use as a burial ground or a monument dedicated to the ancestral dead.² Some theories even propose it was a healing center, with the bluestones believed to possess curative properties.²

Myths and Magic: The Lore of the Stones

Given its awe-inspiring scale and unknown origins, it’s no surprise that Stonehenge became fertile ground for fantastical legends. Early historians, lacking scientific explanations, often incorporated supernatural folklore into their accounts.⁶ One of the most enduring myths, popularized by Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century, claimed that the wizard Merlin, of Arthurian fame, was responsible for its construction.⁵ In this tale, Merlin magically transported the stones from Mount Killarus in Ireland—a place where giants had supposedly brought them from Africa—to their current location on Salisbury Plain.⁴ The sheer impossibility of moving such colossal stones led many to believe in the “hand of sorcery or even the hand of the devil” in their creation.⁴

The Saxons, who named the monument “Stonehenge” or the “Hanging Stones,” believed the megaliths appeared to float in the air.⁴ This perception of the stones as possessing an otherworldly lightness further fueled their mystical reputation. Beyond ancient lore, modern theories have emerged, ranging from the idea that Stonehenge served as an alien landing pad to a site where extraterrestrial energy was harvested.⁷ Some contemporary interpretations even suggest the stones contain “trapped people or souls, frozen in time,” echoing the ancient belief that these monuments were imbued with powerful, sometimes malevolent, energies.⁷

Beyond Salisbury Plain: Other Ancient British Sites of Mystery

Stonehenge is but one jewel in Britain’s crown of ancient, mysterious sites. The British Isles are dotted with countless megalithic structures, burial mounds, and natural landscapes steeped in equally compelling folklore.

Avebury Stone Circle (Wiltshire, England)

Just a short distance from Stonehenge lies Avebury, a Neolithic stone circle that dwarfs its more famous neighbor, being fourteen times its size.⁸ Unlike Stonehenge, which is often associated with burial, Avebury is thought to have been a fertility site.⁹ The village of Avebury itself is nestled within the ancient earthworks, making it a living part of this prehistoric landscape. Like Stonehenge, it’s considered a “clean site,” meaning archaeologists find evidence of rituals and burials rather than everyday living, reinforcing its role as a religious and ceremonial center.⁹

Avebury’s history is marked by conflict between ancient beliefs and later Christian influence. In the 14th century, villagers, under instruction from the church, attempted to topple and bury the “Devil’s Stones,” believing them to be pagan and satanic.⁸ This act of vandalism reportedly angered the spirits within the stones, leading to a tragic accident where a man was crushed to death, giving rise to the legend of the “Barber Stone”.⁸ Today, visitors report seeing strange, ghostly figures and hearing singing among the stones, and many believe they can “absorb the ancient energies” by touching them.⁸

Silbury Hill (Wiltshire, England)

Near Avebury stands Silbury Hill, the largest artificial prehistoric mound in Europe.³ Its purpose remains unknown, but this colossal chalk mound, built over generations, is a marvel of ancient engineering.³ Legends abound about its origins, with some tales claiming that King Sil or Zel was buried there on horseback, and others linking it to the legendary King Arthur as his possible resting place.¹⁰ Silbury Hill, like Avebury, is part of the Avebury World Heritage Site, a landscape rich with Neolithic monuments that continue to inspire awe and speculation.³

Maeshowe Chambered Cairn (Orkney, Scotland)

Further north, in the remote Orkney Islands of Scotland, lies Maeshowe, considered the finest Neolithic building to survive in north-west Europe.¹¹ Built around 5,000 years ago, this monumental chambered tomb is a masterpiece of design, featuring massive stones and a passage precisely aligned with the setting sun during the winter solstice, illuminating its central chamber.¹¹ Thousands of years after its construction, Vikings broke into the cairn, leaving behind the largest collection of runic inscriptions outside Scandinavia carved into its walls.¹¹ Maeshowe is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, which also includes the Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar, and the ancient village of Skara Brae—all sites steeped in prehistoric mystery.¹¹

Dartmoor (Devon, England)

While not a single site, the vast and atmospheric landscape of Dartmoor in Devon is a treasure trove of ancient mysteries and folklore. Its misty moors, dark mires, and craggy granite tors have long been associated with pixies, ghosts, witchcraft, and strange occurrences.¹² Legends like the Coffin Stone, split by a thunderbolt due to an “evil man’s” burial, or the bottomless Crazywell Pool, which reveals the next person to die, are deeply intertwined with the landscape itself.¹² Dartmoor’s ancient stone circles, such as the Grey Wethers, are also subjects of folklore, with tales of farmers mistaking them for sheep in the mist.¹² These localized narratives demonstrate how the natural environment can become a canvas for enduring supernatural beliefs.

An Enduring Legacy

From the meticulously aligned stones of Stonehenge to the windswept moors of Dartmoor and the ancient cairns of Orkney, Britain’s prehistoric sites are more than just archaeological wonders. They are living landscapes of mystery, where the echoes of ancient beliefs, the whispers of forgotten rituals, and the enduring power of human imagination continue to shape our understanding of the unseen world. These sites remind us that the line between history and legend is often beautifully blurred, inviting us to ponder the profound connections between the land, its past inhabitants, and the timeless allure of the paranormal.