Stonehenge Hawkins Hypothesis

             Stonehenge is an ancient marvel that has perplexed its viewers for thousands of years. Located in Salisbury, New England, local residents have yet to learn the true purpose of these stones. Many people have had their own hypotheses concerning the meaning of stones" arrangement. One theory comes from a British astronomer, Gerald Hawkins. The difference between his hypothesis and others is that he has put his theory to the test whereas others let their ideas stand for correction. In a chapter called "First Thoughts" Hawkins presented his own conjectures concerning the Stonehenge. What Hawkins suggested was that Stonehenge was used for astronomical alignments.
             Stonehenge consists of standing stones arranged in a circular design on an open plain. The stones, individually weighing about forty tons, have not naturally taken their erect form. What has bewildered many individuals is how and why Stonehenge was built. Throughout the years, many people have constructed answers popular to their own beliefs regarding the history of these stones (Lynch Swanzey and Coakley, 72). .
             Nearby dwellers are people who have offered an explanation to the site. Their reports vary because of traditional beliefs or rumors -- more specifically, folktales. .
             "Subsequent generations have offered answers appropriate to their own interests; Stonehenge has been called a druid place of worship, a temple of sacrifice, an ancient sepulcher, a monument to Saxon warriors (Lynch Swanzey and Coakley, 72).".
             These generations have had different views, yet none have actually had the time or tools to thoroughly research the site as Hawkins did. Locals did not spend all their time trying to solve a mystery. They accepted the most reasonable answer and convinced each other without any evidence.
             "As a boy in England I took little enough interest in my country's most famous ancient monument. I knew that it somehow pointed to midsummer sunrise, and I thought that the druids had built it, probably for human sacrifice, and beyond that my curiosity did not go (Hawkins, 73).