2015-02

Exploring our Country’s
Mysteries in Stone
Stonehenge is arguably the
most mysterious prehistoric
monument in Britain. Even after
centuries of research no-one
really knows when, how or why
it was built or what its purpose was.
Built in several stages, its construction
began around 3000BC and work
continued until about 1600BC.
There are many theories as to its
purpose but the answer remains
shrouded in mystery. Some believe it
was a temple for worship, others that it
was a place for ritual sacrifi ce and yet
others that it was a site where healing
took place.
Certainly it is an extremely accurate
calendar marking the winter and summer
solstices and recent research has
revealed prehistoric pits that seem to
line up with the constellations. Whatever
the purpose, Stonehenge was an
outstanding achievement and Stone Age
people were far more clever than we like
to admit today.
The massive sandstone slabs known
as Sarsens weigh between 25 and
45 tonnes and must have been rolled
on logs from the Marlborough Downs.
More remarkable is the fact that the
stones called Bluestones were somehow
transported from the Prescelly Hills in
Wales. The stones were shaped on
arrival and fi tted together with tongue
and groove joints measured so precisely
they are still standing after 5,000 years.
Around ten miles away stands another
outstanding achievement in stone,
Salisbury Cathedral, which soars 404ft
above the ground on foundations just
four feet deep. Consecrated in 1258, it
was never intended to have a spire and
had a stumpy little tower like Winchester.
The famous spire was added sometime
in the 14th century.
The building is surely a sermon in
stone. It bears an ‘impossible’ weight it
was never designed for; so much so that
some of the pillars have been splayed
apart and special arches have been
constructed to strengthen the tower. It
has somehow survived the reformation,
the Civil War and being ripped apart
by three major lightning strikes. It also
Salisbury Cathedral
escaped Victorian ‘Beautifi cation’ and
World War Two bombs and yet it bears
its burdens lightly as it stands today as it
did 700 years ago, serene and ethereal.
Though the stonework bears evidence
of the passing centuries and reveals
the scars of aging and battling with the
elements, it has developed a living colour
created by lichens and mosses which
changes from green, through honeygold
to grey with the seasons and the
changing light.
Like Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral
stands as a landmark, a beacon, drawing
tourists and pilgrims from far and wide.
Many have been encaptured by the
cathedral and many have participated
in an unbroken round of worship since
1225; many have worked to build it
and many more to maintain it for future
generations.
In 1909 a traveller wrote about the
effect the cathedral had on him:
“One marvels at a building so vast in
size which yet produces the effect of
a palace in fairyland, or of a cathedral
not built with hands but brought into
existence by a miracle. I begin to think it
is not safe to stay in that place too long,
lest it should compel me to stay there
always, or cause me to feel dissatisfi ed
and homesick when away.”
WH Hudson from A Foot In England 1909
Sylvia Bennett
St Chad’s Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats
Church Offi ce: 9 Linden Avenue, Sheffi eld S8 0GA
Tel: (0114) 274 5086
email: offi ce@stchads.org
St Chad’s Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats
Page 14 website: www.stchads.org
Church Offi ce: 9 Linden Avenue, Sheffi eld S8 0GA
Page 15
Tel: (0114) 274 5086
email: offi ce@stchads.org
website: www.stchads.org