Stonehenge

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Stonehenge stands proudly in Wiltshire, England, where it commands attention just two miles west of Amesbury and eight miles north of Salisbury. The prehistoric monument boasts a stunning ring of standing stones, each towering 13 ft high, measuring 6 ft 11 in wide, and weighing an impressive 25 tons. Strategically positioned within the densest cluster of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, the stones sit amidst numerous burial mounds. Archaeologists pinpoint its construction between 3000 BC and 2000 BC. The earliest phase of Stonehenge, a circular earth bank and ditch, has been dated to approximately 3100 BC. Radiocarbon dating reveals that the initial bluestones were erected between 2400 and 2200 BC; however, it's possible they arrived at the site as early as 3000 BC. As one of the most iconic landmarks in the UK, Stonehenge embodies British culture and is a symbol of national identity. Since 1882, when laws to safeguard historic monuments were first implemented in Britain, Stonehenge has enjoyed protected status as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. In recognition of its global significance, Stonehenge was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list in 1986. The site itself is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage, while the surrounding land is under the care of the National Trust. Evidence suggests that Stonehenge may have begun as a burial ground from its inception around 3000 BC. Human remains dating back to this era were discovered in deposits alongside the ditch and bank. This practice continued for at least five hundred years, leaving behind a lasting legacy.