What Did the Romans Think About Stonehenge?

Stonehenge, one of the most iconic prehistoric sites in the world, continues to intrigue archaeologists and historians. Its towering stones, positioned in a complex arrangement, remain a mystery, especially when it comes to understanding how ancient peoples perceived and used it. While the exact purpose of Stonehenge is still debated, it is often associated with ceremonial or religious functions, possibly related to astrology or healing. But what did the Romans, who arrived in Britain centuries after its construction, think of this enigmatic structure?

Roman Presence at Stonehenge

The Romans certainly had a presence in Britain, having invaded in 43 AD, and their influence is evident throughout the country. Stonehenge, located in southern England, was a prominent feature of the landscape, and it is believed the Romans were aware of it. However, the nature of their relationship with the site is unclear, as there are few direct references to Stonehenge in Roman writings. In fact, no definitive Roman texts explicitly describe the monument, which has led to much speculation about how the Romans viewed it.

Archaeological evidence, though, suggests that the Romans did interact with Stonehenge in some capacity. Excavations at the site have uncovered various Roman artifacts, including coins, pottery, and pins, which indicate that Romans visited the area during the occupation of Britain. Most notably, in 2008, a trench excavated at Stonehenge revealed Roman coins dating to the 4th century, among other items. These findings suggest that the Romans were familiar with the site, but whether they saw it as a sacred place or a curiosity is unclear.

The Shaft and Grave Theory

In addition to artifacts, the 2008 excavation uncovered an intriguing feature—an ancient Roman shaft. This shaft, which was about 1.1 meters deep, was capped with a piece of blue stone, potentially linking it to the mysterious stones at Stonehenge itself. Furthermore, the shaft contained animal bones, including sheep, dogs, and rabbits. Some scholars speculate that this could indicate that the Romans performed ritualistic activities at Stonehenge, potentially involving sacrifices or other forms of worship. There was also a slab of blue stone found near the shaft, but its purpose and connection to the rest of the site remain uncertain.

This discovery has led to further hypotheses, including the possibility that the Romans used Stonehenge for burial practices. The presence of a possible grave at the site adds weight to the idea that Stonehenge may have continued to be a site of ritual significance, even under Roman rule. However, this remains speculative until further excavations are carried out to better understand the true nature of these Roman activities at Stonehenge.

Roman Views on Prehistoric Monuments

In terms of written records, Roman historians and scholars did not provide much direct commentary on Stonehenge itself, but they did describe similar megalithic sites and the people who constructed them. One potential reference to Stonehenge comes from the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, who wrote about an island in the northern reaches of the world, possibly referencing Britain. Diodorus mentions a sacred temple dedicated to Apollo, which was spherical in shape and adorned with many votive offerings. Some have speculated that this description may refer to Stonehenge, although there is no definitive evidence linking the two.

Diodorus’ account mentions the Hyperboreans, a mythical people said to live beyond the north wind, and it is possible that the ancient Greeks and Romans connected such myths with the mysterious and isolated nature of places like Stonehenge. However, this reference is vague, and it’s unclear whether it was meant to describe an actual place or a mythical one.

Roman Theories and Legends

The Romans were known for their fascination with ancient rituals, especially those related to the gods, and it is possible that they viewed Stonehenge through the lens of their own religious practices. The Romans were highly interested in local customs and often integrated them into their own belief systems, a practice known as religious syncretism. As a result, the Romans may have seen Stonehenge as a site of ancient worship, potentially connected to their own deities or a continuation of local British religious practices.

One of the more interesting theories associated with Stonehenge is the “Healing Hypothesis,” which suggests that the stones or the water collected around them may have been believed to have healing properties. This idea is linked to the burial of the so-called “Amesbury Archer,” a man buried near Stonehenge around 2300 BC. The archer had several injuries and possible birth defects, leading some scholars to speculate that he may have traveled to Stonehenge in search of healing. If this hypothesis is accurate, the Romans may have adopted or continued the belief in Stonehenge’s healing powers, possibly viewing it as a sacred site for their own healing rituals.

Stonehenge as a Tourist Attraction?

In earlier years, some historians suggested that the Romans may have visited Stonehenge in a manner similar to ancient tourism. Evidence for this idea includes the discovery of Roman coins, pottery shards, and other small artifacts scattered around the site, which may indicate that Romans visited Stonehenge as part of their travels in Britain, without necessarily attaching any particular religious or ceremonial significance to it. This theory, though plausible, has been largely challenged in light of the more recent discoveries of burial shafts and animal bones, which suggest that the Romans may have had a more complex relationship with the site.

The Mystical Significance of Stonehenge

One of the more enduring aspects of Stonehenge is its mystique, which the Romans may have contributed to, either directly or indirectly. The megalithic structure’s astronomical alignments, unique stones, and the silence of its past have long attracted the imagination of those who study it. The Romans, with their interest in the mystical and the divine, may have added to the monument’s legendary status, seeing it as a place of ancient power, much like their own temples to the gods.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Romans likely had some form of interaction with Stonehenge, whether as visitors, participants in rituals, or as people curious about the mysterious structure. However, much of their direct perception of Stonehenge remains unknown, as Roman textual references to the site are either lost or ambiguous. Archaeological evidence, such as Roman coins and pottery, suggests that the Romans did visit, but whether they regarded the site as a sacred space or a curious relic of the past is still uncertain. Future excavations may shed more light on the Romans’ interactions with Stonehenge and whether it continued to hold significance as a sacred or ritualistic site long after the construction of the megaliths.