摘要：Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. Its construc
Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments, located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. Its construction spanned roughly 1,500 years, from around 3000 BCE to 1500 BCE, with different phases adding stone circles, uprights, and lintels.
The monument consists of two main types of stones: sarsens (large sandstone blocks, some weighing up to 50 tons) and bluestones (smaller igneous rocks sourced from the Preseli Hills in Wales, over 240 kilometers away). The most iconic feature is the outer circle of sarsens topped with horizontal lintels, forming a "peristyle" structure, while inner circles and horseshoe shapes of bluestones add to its complexity.
Despite centuries of research, Stonehenge’s exact purpose remains a subject of debate. Theories suggest it served as an astronomical observatory (aligning with solstices and equinoxes), a religious ceremonial site, a burial ground, or a gathering place for ancient communities. Its precise construction—including how prehistoric people transported massive stones over long distances—continues to fascinate archaeologists and visitors alike.
Today, Stonehenge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (designated in 1986) and attracts over a million tourists annually. It stands as a powerful symbol of ancient human ingenuity and the mysteries of prehistoric civilization.
巨石阵（Stonehenge）是世界上最著名的史前遗迹之一，位于英格兰威尔特郡的索尔兹伯里平原。它的建造历时约 1500 年，从公元前 3000 年左右持续到公元前 1500 年，不同阶段分别增添了石圈、直立石柱和横梁。
该遗迹由两种主要石料构成：砂岩巨石（大型砂岩石块，部分重达 50 吨）和蓝砂岩（小型火成岩，采自 240 多公里外的威尔士普雷塞利山）。其最具标志性的特征是外围的砂岩巨石圈，顶部架有水平横梁，形成 “列柱围廊” 结构；内部的蓝砂岩圈和马蹄形结构则进一步增加了其复杂性。
尽管经过了数世纪的研究，巨石阵的具体用途仍存在争议。理论认为它曾用作天文观测台（与二至日和二分日对齐）、宗教仪式场所、墓地，或是古代社群的集会地。其精密的建造工艺 —— 包括史前人类如何将巨大石块远距离运输 —— 至今仍令考古学家和游客着迷。
如今，巨石阵是联合国教科文组织世界遗产（1986 年入选），每年吸引超过 100 万游客。它是古代人类智慧的有力象征，也是史前文明留下的未解之谜。
重点词汇及举例prehistoric
(adj.) 史前的
例：Archaeologists found prehistoric tools near Stonehenge.（考古学家在巨石阵附近发现了史前工具。）
monument
(n.) 遗迹；纪念碑
例：Stonehenge is a monument that dates back to ancient times.（巨石阵是一座可追溯至古代的遗迹。）
sarsen
(n.) 砂岩巨石
例：The outer circle of Stonehenge is made of sarsens.（巨石阵的外圈由砂岩巨石构成。）
bluestone
(n.) 蓝砂岩
例：Scientists traced the bluestones in Stonehenge to Wales.（科学家发现巨石阵中的蓝砂岩源自威尔士。）
lintel
(n.) （门窗或石柱顶部的）横梁
例：The lintels on top of the sarsens show ancient building skills.（砂岩巨石顶部的横梁体现了古代的建筑技艺。）
astronomical observatory
(n.) 天文观测台
例：Some experts believe Stonehenge functioned as an astronomical observatory.（一些专家认为巨石阵曾用作天文观测台。）
UNESCO World Heritage Site
(n.) 联合国教科文组织世界遗产
例：Stonehenge became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.（巨石阵于 1986 年成为联合国教科文组织世界遗产。）
ingenuity
(n.) 独创性；智慧
例：The construction of Stonehenge demonstrates great prehistoric ingenuity.（巨石阵的建造展现了史前人类的非凡智慧。）
来源：哎呀喂英语