Analysis of “Secret of Stonehenge” Film Essay

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

BBC documentary film entitled “Secret of Stonehenge” discusses the building of Stonehenge – a symbol of a stone-age era. Built around 3000 BC, Stonehenge consists of huge bluestones, surrounded by a circular ring of stones. The bluestones weigh from 3 to 45 tons each and are carved like woodwork (Balmond, 2015). The project is revolutionary for that age period and is surrounded by many legends. The central questions the film sets out to answer are who built Stonehenge, how it was built and why.

To answer these questions, a Stonehenge riverside project, which includes about two hundred people – scientists, students, and specialists in astronomy – initiated excavation in the area. The excavations revealed that Stonehenge was built in stages: first, the dig was dug, and then, about 500 years later, the colossal stones were installed. Later, a two-line avenue was made from Stonehenge to the River Avon when Stonehenge was finished.

Stonehenge may have been built by pulling stones over tree trunks to transport the rocks; tipping them into a giant hole, ancient people may have made stones stand erect. Later, the stones may have been pulled up the ramps and levered into place. These theories are plausible, but there is no evidence that they were used. A new theory was developed within a Stonehenge riverside project: the stones may have been transported on the platform erected over rail tracks filled with granite balls. This theory was put to the test; it turned out it was possible to transport stones that way.

The examination of bones initially buried within Stonehenge walls revealed that burial at Stonehenge was reserved for a selected group of males, which speaks about the aristocratic, male-based society of those times. It is highly possible that the building of Stonehenge was requested by a royal family of those times. The entrance to Stonehenge faces the rising sun on the longest day, and by 1960, Stonehenge was generally believed to be an observatory. When the sun shines through the entrance, the light axis runs right through the Stonehenge circle and points to the sunset. The alignment of stones suggests the connection in people’s minds between the sun and the seasonal cycle. The new theory developed within a Stonehenge riverside project suggests that Stonehenge was a meeting place to connect with the ancestors. The stones were associated with the dead; Stonehenge marked the realm of the dead as opposed to the realm of the living.

Less than two miles north of Stonehenge, holes of timber circle were discovered. This timber circle was identical in size to the circle of Stonehenge. This timber circle is believed to portray the world of living since wooden buildings are usually associated with alive ones. The connection between the two realms was the river Avon since the water was an essential part of the journey from living to the world of the dead. There were discovered remains of ancient houses around the timber circle, but people did not live there year-round. They came there for special occasions, which took place on the summer and winter solstices. On those days, the two monuments were linked by an arrow of sunlight; the first monument was framed with sunrise, and the other was aligned with sunset.

Another circular monument called Bluestone henge was built by the river around 3000 BC. It is believed that stones from Bluestone henge were moved to Stonehenge around 2500 and arranged within the Stonehenge circle. A link with ancestors is traced here too. The film casts light on believes of ancient people, their life and traditions. Discussing new theories about how Stonehenge was built, by whom, and why leaves room for reflection to anyone interested in ancient monuments and English history. Moreover, theories discussed in the film can be beneficial for further researches in the field.

References

Balmond, C. (2015). Secret of Stonehenge [Film]. BBC.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2022, August 2). Analysis of “Secret of Stonehenge” Film. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-secret-of-stonehenge-film/

Work Cited

"Analysis of “Secret of Stonehenge” Film." IvyPanda, 2 Aug. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-secret-of-stonehenge-film/.

References

IvyPanda. (2022) 'Analysis of “Secret of Stonehenge” Film'. 2 August.

References

IvyPanda. 2022. "Analysis of “Secret of Stonehenge” Film." August 2, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-secret-of-stonehenge-film/.

1. IvyPanda. "Analysis of “Secret of Stonehenge” Film." August 2, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-secret-of-stonehenge-film/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Analysis of “Secret of Stonehenge” Film." August 2, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-secret-of-stonehenge-film/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

1 / 1