# What was Stonehenge for? · Stonehenge > Six answers have been proposed. A solar temple aligned on the solstices. leads, with evidence 1 for: supported by its tests. Five are still possible. Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stonehenge/questions/QST0CRWPDCR161H/what-was-stonehenge-for Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:50+00:00 --- **0** # What was Stonehenge for? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·6 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: the first monument was a cemetery and ancestral shrine for a select group** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Six answers have been proposed. A solar temple aligned on the solstices. leads, with evidence 1 for: supported by its tests. Five are still possible. ## Why it matters The purpose readings have driven interpretation since Stukeley; the evidence of burials, feasting and the distant stones now lets them be tested⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWNZFE5EMX/the-dead-of-stonehenge)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWP1XJ5HYH/stonehenge-and-its-altar-stone-the-significance-of-distant). ## Answers 6 [**A solar temple aligned on the solstices.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stonehenge/answers/ANS0CRWPNY6024R/a-solar-temple-aligned-on-the-solstices) Supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**The first monument was a cemetery and ancestral shrine for a select group.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stonehenge/answers/ANS0CRWPMFA1VKT/the-first-monument-was-a-cemetery-and-ancestral-shrine-for-a) Supported by its tests Evidence: 1 for Most likely [**The sarsen monument of about 2500 BC was a political monument uniting communities across Britain, built with…** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stonehenge/answers/ANS0CRWPMYY7F94/the-sarsen-monument-of-about-2500-bc-was-a-political) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for, 1 against Most likely [**An astronomical observatory and eclipse predictor (Hawkins).** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stonehenge/answers/ANS0CRWPPDT1JWY/an-astronomical-observatory-and-eclipse-predictor-hawkins) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stonehenge/answers/ANS0CRWPQD223Q1/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**The sarsen numbers encode a 365.25-day calendar (Darvill).** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/stonehenge/answers/ANS0CRWPPXE3570/the-sarsen-numbers-encode-a-365-25-day-calendar-darvill) Failed a test; not refuted outright Evidence: 1 against Disputed [Show 1 more answer] ## History 1. 1963[Hawkins puts forward: an astronomical observatory and eclipse predictor (Hawkins).](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWP4BP304W/stonehenge-decoded) 1. 2009[Parker Pearson et al. puts forward: the first monument was a cemetery and ancestral shrine for a select group.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWNZQ826RK/who-was-buried-at-stonehenge) 1. 2016[Willis et al.: at least 27 cremated individuals from the Aubrey Holes, dated about 3000–2500 BC, men and women.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWNZFE5EMX/the-dead-of-stonehenge)For: The first monument was a cemetery and ancestral shrine for a select group. 1. 2019[Madgwick et al.: pigs at Durrington Walls were raised across Britain, including Scotland.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWP43W7BGW/multi-isotope-analysis-reveals-that-feasts-in-the-stonehenge)For: The sarsen monument of about 2500 BC was a political monument uniting communities across Britain, built with… 1. 2022[Darvill puts forward: the sarsen numbers encode a 365.25-day calendar (Darvill).](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWP4VA6QWD/keeping-time-at-stonehenge) 1. 2023[Magli & Belmonte: the proposal rests on numerology, astronomical error and unsupported analogy.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWP53455W4/archaeoastronomy-and-the-alleged-stonehenge-calendar)Against: The sarsen numbers encode a 365.25-day calendar (Darvill). 1. 2024[Ruggles & Chadburn puts forward: a solar temple aligned on the solstices.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWP4KG3Z9A/stonehenge-sighting-the-sun) 1. 2024[Clarke et al.: the Altar Stone is from north-east Scotland, the bluestones from Wales, the sarsens from Wessex.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWP1DY3VNT/a-scottish-provenance-for-the-altar-stone-of-stonehenge)For: The sarsen monument of about 2500 BC was a political monument uniting communities across Britain, built with… 1. 2024[Ruggles & Chadburn: the solstitial axis is deliberate and accurate to about a degree.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWP4KG3Z9A/stonehenge-sighting-the-sun)For: A solar temple aligned on the solstices. 1. 2024[Ruggles & Chadburn: lunar claims are weak and the eclipse predictor is not supported.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWP4KG3Z9A/stonehenge-sighting-the-sun)Against: An astronomical observatory and eclipse predictor (Hawkins). 1. 2025[Parker Pearson et al. puts forward: the sarsen monument of about 2500 BC was a political monument uniting communities across Britain, built with…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWP1XJ5HYH/stonehenge-and-its-altar-stone-the-significance-of-distant) 1. 2025[Parker Pearson et al.: when the Altar Stone was set at Stonehenge is not dated.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CRWP1XJ5HYH/stonehenge-and-its-altar-stone-the-significance-of-distant)Against: The sarsen monument of about 2500 BC was a political monument uniting communities across Britain, built with… 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stonehenge/questions/QST0CRWPDCR161H/what-was-stonehenge-for%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stonehenge/questions/QST0CRWPDCR161H/what-was-stonehenge-for%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stonehenge/questions/QST0CRWPDCR161H/what-was-stonehenge-for%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stonehenge/questions/QST0CRWPDCR161H/what-was-stonehenge-for%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/stonehenge/questions/QST0CRWPDCR161H/what-was-stonehenge-for%23add-source) Where it fits Stonehenge **What was Stonehenge for?** Key question · you're here [ Ask a question under this one ]