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Stonehenge Decoded

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  • Designed to lie along the axis of the sun, the Stonehenge temple catches the sun right at its heart during the midsummer sunrise. The temple is composed of 75 massive sarsen stones erected between three and a half and five thousand years ago.
  • Designed to lie along the axis of the sun, the Stonehenge temple captures the natural sunlight, pointing to the rising sun in the summertime. The temple is composed of 75 massive sarsen stones erected between three and a half and five thousand years ago.
  • CGI: The crew reenacts the excavation of bluestones from Carn Menyn in the Preseli Mountains of Wales. The bluestones, imported 250 miles to Stonehenge, stand out in a smaller ring within the sarsens.
  • CGI: Men work together to build the frame in preparation to erect the 75 sarsen stones that compose Stonehenge. The construction process involved thousands of people, making it both a great spectacle and a great ritual.
  • The center of the Stonehenge replica in Wiltshire, UK.
  • The team erecting the replica Stonehenge in Wiltshire, UK.
  • The Stonehenge replica nears completion. The replica is built out of wood, rather than stone.
  • Designed to lie along the axis of the sun, the Stonehenge temple will point to the sun as it rises in the dawn sky. The temple is composed of 75 massive sarsen stones erected between three and a half and five thousand years ago. For centuries, Stonehenge has been a puzzle. There have been many theories about this giant stone circle.
  • Presenter Jeff Douglas looks up from under rocks at Stonehenge. Built between three and a half and five thousand years ago, the temple is composed of 75 massive sarsen stones.
  • CGI: A shaman leads a ritual amid the sarsen stones of Stonehenge. Believing he had the power to connect with the gods and ancestors, the shaman led the ceremonies that took place at the temple.
  • CGI: The crew reenacts the 250 mile journey to excavate bluestones from Carn Menyn in the Preseli Mountains of Wales. The 80 bluestones stand out in a smaller ring within the sarsens of Stonehenge.
  • Gordon Pipes and his team attempt to raise a twelve ton stone from the ground.
  • Presenter Jeff Douglas stands next to the bones of the 5,000 year old Amesbury Archer. The bones of this early Bronze Age man were discovered during the excavation for a new development near Stonehenge.
  • CGI: An archer attacks at Stonehenge. Evidence suggests that only a sacred few were allowed in Stonehenge, and that those who came without welcome would face the bows of such archers.
  • CGI: Builders bring the

  • Capturing the Sun

    Photograph by 360 Production

    Designed to lie along the axis of the sun, the Stonehenge temple catches the sun right at its heart during the midsummer sunrise. The temple is composed of 75 massive sarsen stones erected between three and a half and five thousand years ago.

  • A Sun Shrine

    Photograph by 360 Production

    Designed to lie along the axis of the sun, the Stonehenge temple captures the natural sunlight, pointing to the rising sun in the summertime. The temple is composed of 75 massive sarsen stones erected between three and a half and five thousand years ago.

  • Gathering the Stones

    Photograph by 360 Production

    CGI: The crew reenacts the excavation of bluestones from Carn Menyn in the Preseli Mountains of Wales. The bluestones, imported 250 miles to Stonehenge, stand out in a smaller ring within the sarsens.

  • The Framework

    Photograph by 360 Production

    CGI: Men work together to build the frame in preparation to erect the 75 sarsen stones that compose Stonehenge. The construction process involved thousands of people, making it both a great spectacle and a great ritual.

  • In the Middle

    Photograph by Rupert Parker/Darlow Smithson Productions

    The center of the Stonehenge replica in Wiltshire, UK.

  • Constructing the Replica

    Photograph by Rupert Parker/Darlow Smithson Productions

    The team erecting the replica Stonehenge in Wiltshire, UK.

  • A Close Match

    Photograph by Rupert Parker/Darlow Smithson Productions

    The Stonehenge replica nears completion.  The replica is built out of wood, rather than stone.

  • Circle of Stones

    Photograph by 360 Production

    Designed to lie along the axis of the sun, the Stonehenge temple will point to the sun as it rises in the dawn sky. The temple is composed of 75 massive sarsen stones erected between three and a half and five thousand years ago.  For centuries, Stonehenge has been a puzzle. There have been many theories about this giant stone circle.

  • Hiding Behind Stones

    Photograph by 360 Production

    Presenter Jeff Douglas looks up from under rocks at Stonehenge. Built between three and a half and five thousand years ago, the temple is composed of 75 massive sarsen stones.

  • Ceremonial Leader

    Photograph by 360 Production

    CGI: A shaman leads a ritual amid the sarsen stones of Stonehenge. Believing he had the power to connect with the gods and ancestors, the shaman led the ceremonies that took place at the temple.

  • Excavation Process

    Photograph by 360 Production

    CGI: The crew reenacts the 250 mile journey to excavate bluestones from Carn Menyn in the Preseli Mountains of Wales. The 80 bluestones stand out in a smaller ring within the sarsens of Stonehenge.

  • Stone Movers

    Photograph by Rupert Parker/Darlow Smithson Productions

    Gordon Pipes and his team attempt to raise a twelve ton stone from the ground.

  • Examining Bones

    Photograph by 360 Production

    Presenter Jeff Douglas stands next to the bones of the 5,000 year old Amesbury Archer. The bones of this early Bronze Age man were discovered during the excavation for a new development near Stonehenge.

  • Guarding Stonehenge

    Photograph by 360 Production

    CGI: An archer attacks at Stonehenge. Evidence suggests that only a sacred few were allowed in Stonehenge, and that those who came without welcome would face the bows of such archers.

  • Transporting the Stones

    Photograph by 360 Production

    CGI: Builders bring the "bluestones" to Stonehenge during the third phase of its construction in 2300 BC. The term "bluestone" is not geological but rather refers to all of the foreign rock used in constructing Stonehenge.

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