Excavation at Stonehenge


For the first time in nearly 45 years, an archaeological dig is being conducted at Stonehenge's "Double Bluestone Circle," the first stone structure that was built on the ancient site.

The excavation—which will last from March 31 to April 11—is being led by two renowned Stonehenge academics: Professor Tim Darvill of University of Bournemouth and Professor Geoffrey Wainwright, President of the Society of Antiquaries. Darvill and Wainright speculate that Stonehenge was a center for healing and not a place for the dead, as many previous scholars have believed.

Return to this site during the next two weeks to read updated dispatches from Stonehenge.

Dispatch from Stonehenge

Stonehenge excavation site

Dispatch from Stonehenge, Day 14

April 13: The Druids Bless Our Departure
By Dan Jones

Digging trench

Dispatch from Stonehenge, Day 10

April 9: Archaeology in a Fishbowl
By Dan Jones

Digging the trench

Dispatch from Stonehenge, Day 9

April 8: The Clock is Ticking
By Dan Jones

Media at the Stonehenge excavation site

Dispatch from Stonehenge, Day 2

April 1st: An Ill Wind Blows
By Dan Jones

An aerial view of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England.

Dispatch from Stonehenge, Day 1

March 31st: The Excavation Begins
By Dan Jones

Learn more about Stonehenge

Work on Stonehenge began around 3000 B.C., with a ditch circling wood posts.

Mystery Man of Stonehenge

Who was he and where did he come from? And what was his role in the making of the great monument? The discovery of a 4,300-year-old skeleton surrounded by intriguing artifacts has archaeologists abuzz
By Richard Stone

Ring of Brodgar is on the Orkney Islands

Romancing the Stones

Who built the great megaliths and stone circles of Great Britain, and why? Researchers continue to puzzle and marvel over these age-old questions
By David Roberts

EXPLORE ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

The Parthenon, said the 19th-century French engineer Auguste Choisy, represents "the supreme effort of genius in pursuit of beauty."
A huddle grows around the high priests,
  • Keepers of the Lost Ark?
    Christians in Ethiopia have long claimed to have the ark of the covenant. Our reporter investigated
Rano Raraku statue quarry
Queen Hatshepsut






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Photo Gallery

Stonehenge Slideshow

Explore photos of Great Britain's prehistoric site

FROM THE SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL

Unlocking the Secrets of Stonehenge

Ongoing coverage of this historic excavation—including video clips

FROM THE SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL

Blogging from Stonehenge

David Royle's blog on the dig at Stonehenge

TRAVEL WITH SMITHSONIAN