Around 4,500 years ago, the iconic silhouette of Stonehenge looked remarkably different from what we see today. Archaeologist and writer Mike Pitts explores the enigma of the monument’s long-lost stones, uncovering clues to their origins and fate.
If you find yourself at Stonehenge on December 21, the winter solstice, and the sky is clear as the Sun sets, you can witness a mesmerizing spectacle. Standing between the tall Heel Stone and the stone circle, you can observe the orange light slanting through the ancient megaliths. In the fleeting moments before darkness, the Sun disappears through a “window” formed by two vertical stones and a horizontal lintel, as though swallowed by the monument.
According to the reports of Leaders team, this alignment, archaeologists believe, was no accident. It was deliberately designed by the site’s Neolithic builders. However, 4,500 years ago, this solstice event would have been even more breathtaking. Up to six additional pairs of upright stones once marked the sightline, including the tallest and most intricately carved stones. Today, only a single megalith, known as Stone 56, remains. Its exposed tenon—a projecting bulge once fitted into a lintel—now stands useless and incomplete.
But what happened to the missing stones? Who removed them, and where did they go? These questions have puzzled archaeologists for centuries, and though no definitive answers exist, decades of excavation, surveying, and geological research have offered tantalizing insights.
The Ever-Changing Stonehenge
What we see today at Stonehenge is not the unaltered monument of ancient times. Between 1901 and 1964, extensive restoration efforts straightened precarious stones and secured them in concrete, aiming to replicate the site as it appeared in the 18th century. However, archaeological excavations revealed another, more complex Stonehenge, with evidence of missing stones and pits that suggest an evolving layout over thousands of years.
In 1666, John Aubrey first noted five cavities in the ground near the stone circle, hinting at an outer circle of stones long since removed. Subsequent excavations in the 1920s uncovered a perfect circle of 56 pits, now called the Aubrey Holes, which may have once held smaller stones, known as bluestones. Additional pit rings closer to the central circle were later discovered, further complicating our understanding of the site’s history.
New Discoveries and Theories
In 1979, Mike Pitts himself made an unexpected discovery—a pit near the Heel Stone that once supported another large stone. This missing stone, paired with the Heel Stone, would have framed the rising midsummer Sun, adding to the site’s astronomical significance.
By the late 20th century, archaeologists recognized Stonehenge’s history spanned a millennium, during which stones were added, removed, and rearranged. Theories emerged that the monument might never have been fully completed, as the south-west side lacks sufficient fallen stones to complete the circle.
In 2009, another twist emerged when a nearby excavation uncovered a previously unknown stone circle. This smaller circle, composed of bluestones, was likely dismantled, with its stones moved to Stonehenge. Yet, many pits were empty, raising further questions about the fate of these ancient megaliths.
Damage and Displacement
As per the sources of Leaders team, the large sarsen stones, which form Stonehenge’s iconic silhouette, have endured the ravages of time and human interference. Reports from earlier centuries describe visitors chipping away at the stones for souvenirs, a claim confirmed by a 2012 laser survey that revealed extensive damage. Some stones appear visibly eroded compared to those that remained out of reach.
Meanwhile, many of the softer bluestones have been reduced to stumps and debris, with evidence of damage dating back to Roman times and possibly even the Bronze Age. Theories suggest these stones were believed to have healing powers, leading to their destruction.
A Remarkable Revelation
In 2024, a groundbreaking discovery shed new light on Stonehenge’s origins. The Altar Stone, a unique sandstone megalith at the site’s center, was long thought to have originated in South Wales. However, advanced geological analysis revealed its true source: the far northeast of Scotland. This revelation, made possible by tiny fragments of the stone analyzed worldwide, underscores the extraordinary effort invested in constructing Stonehenge.
The Enduring Mystery
Despite these discoveries, Stonehenge continues to guard its secrets. The exact purpose of the missing stones, their original arrangement, and the motivations behind their removal remain elusive. What is clear, however, is that Stonehenge’s story is far from over. With each new find, archaeologists’ inch closer to understanding one of humanity’s most enigmatic creations, ensuring that its mysteries endure for generations to come.
