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

Digging trench

Dispatch from Stonehenge, Day 10

April 9: Archaeology in a Fishbowl

Digging the trench

Dispatch from Stonehenge, Day 9

April 8: The Clock is Ticking

Media at the Stonehenge excavation site

Dispatch from Stonehenge, Day 2

April 1st: An Ill Wind Blows

An aerial view of Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England.

Dispatch from Stonehenge, Day 1

March 31st: The Excavation Begins

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

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

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, with one young priest bearing an ikon, or holy picture, while others hold ornate gold and silver crosses.
  • 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
In June 2007, the remains of the enigmatic Queen Hatshepsut were finally identified, thanks to a tooth and a CT scan.

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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

Lost in the Preseli Hills

David Royle's blog on the dig at Stonehenge

TRAVEL WITH SMITHSONIAN