The ultimate earth artists

Among the most iconic images on this planet is Stonehenge, a prehistoric megalithic structure in Wiltshire, England, about an hour-and-a-half drive west of London. When we consider what societies around the world share as common knowledge in this era of digital connectivity, it could be argued that most people know the renowned site. Thus, it was indeed an overwhelming experience to lay eyes on these magnificent stones during a recent road trip through the United Kingdom. As a lifelong devotee of art and aesthetics, Stonehenge is a stunning encounter with original earth art.

The facts about Stonehenge are straightforward. The work is a circle of freestanding stones that are about 13 feet high each and are topped by connecting horizontal lintel stones, each weighing about 25 tons. Inside the structure is a ring of smaller bluestones. Altogether the structure resembles a divine sphere, perhaps reflecting an ancient understanding of a planetary system.

Research yields that construction on the stones and the nearby burial mounds took place during the Neolithic and Bronze Age and began sometime around 3100 BC. The construction happened in several phases and continued until about 1600 BC. How prehistoric people moved the megaliths remains the subject of intense mystery and debate. The most common theory is that they used a track of logs along which the large stones were rolled into place.

But if you have been to Stonehenge then you have seen for yourself how these glorious ruins defy explanation. Located in the middle of sprawling countryside with no rocks of comparable size anywhere to be seen, one can hardly fathom how these colossal, warrior-like stones were moved into their location in an era when humans relied on primitive technologies. To arrive at the stones is to be filled with awe, elation and a litany of queries: Who came up with the idea for this? Why here? How did these early humans undertake this massive project? What is the meaning of life in the face of this extraordinarily mystical vision?

We visited Stonehenge on a perfectly sunny afternoon in February, a blessing considering the misty weather that prevails during the winter season. Visitors park in a designated area, and it takes about 30 minutes to walk up to the site. In the past, people were permitted to walk freely within the stones, but current protocol does not allow direct contact. (Stonehenge was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 1986 and the site itself is managed by the English Heritage organization, while the surrounding land is owned by the National Trust.)

There are no written records that give a clue as to how or why the magnificent structure was created. Researchers posit that Stonehenge could have been a burial ground, due to the discovery of human bone deposits there. Others suggest its usage as an astronomical observatory and sacred religious site for ritual practice. The stones are aligned toward the sunrise on the summer solstice and sunset on the winter solstice, which infuses their presence with an air of absolute enchantment.

Another curiosity discovered by researchers from the Royal College of Art in London is that the monument’s igneous bluestones possess “unusual acoustic properties,” and when struck produce a “loud clanging noise” similar to church bells from the 18th century. In various ancient and extant cultures, rocks that ring out (known as lithophonic rocks) are believed to possess healing powers.

There comes a time to put aside one’s analytic perspective of the stones and embrace their magical artistic aura. As far as I am concerned, the people who created this site were artists. They honored the bare materials of the earth and the performative cycle of the seasons, creating Stonehenge as an act of unparalleled artistic expression. In a world driven by overconsumption and dehumanization, Stonehenge is an enduring reminder of the unseen forces that rule our universe and infuse our lives with creative energy. In the spirit of this sacred site, rock on!