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Today marks #SummerSolstice2022, the longest day of the year.
At Stonehenge, this special sunrise would have been framed by a pair of stones (although now only one survives).
📷: The surviving stone illuminated by the solstice; by Andrew Dunn / CC BY-SA 2.0
At Stonehenge, this special sunrise would have been framed by a pair of stones (although now only one survives).
📷: The surviving stone illuminated by the solstice; by Andrew Dunn / CC BY-SA 2.0
This computer model of the site shows how the Heel Stone and its missing partner would have framed the solstice sunrise, marked by the solid red arrow.
📷: By Jlert Joseph Lertola / CC0
📷: By Jlert Joseph Lertola / CC0
This event likely had spiritual significance, but it could have also had a practical purpose.
Stonehenge may have served as a calendar, helping people count the days, weeks, and months of the year. The solstice shining through on the correct day confirms you counted right.
Stonehenge may have served as a calendar, helping people count the days, weeks, and months of the year. The solstice shining through on the correct day confirms you counted right.
