In the early stages of Stonehenge -Phase I, the first circular ditch or moat was dug around 2750 BC with the use of crude instruments such as bones and stones. This ditch was built with an earth bank inside it. A ring of holes, known as the Aubrey Holes, were excavated inside the bank (Discovery). The holes were shallow and carefully spaced, and almost immediately filled in after being dug. Archaeological studies have shown the Aubrey Holes never contained stones or wooden posts; however there were a few instances where bones had been inserted after the holes ha

After many years the second stage of Stonehenge began, Stonehenge Phase II, this second phase is what gave Stonehenge its magnificent beauty. Around 2200 BC the Avenue was dug and four Station Stones were installed, as was an arrangement of large bluestones. The Avenue was originally a roadway enclosed by earth banks 47 feet apart that led to the northeast entrance along the line of the rising sun on Midsummer Day (Discovery). The Avenue was a processional way to the Hampshire Avon nearly two miles away. Scientist believe this is possibly the route, by which 82 stones weighing around four tons each were taken. These stones were brought to the site from the Prescelly Mountains in Southwest Wales where rocks of an identical composition, known as bluestones are found. This journey must have involved transporting the bluestones by sledges and rafts for 240 miles, over half of which must have required maneuvering the stones through the tidal waters of Southern Wales and the Bristol Channel. The bluestone was used to fashion axes and other weapons, and was traded throughout Britain, including the Stonehenge region, and scientists believe that a sacred value was attached to the material (Atkinson). Later in this second phase, the bluestones were replaced by a circle of huge sarsen (natural sandstone) boulders capped with lintels and enclosing five trilithons arranged in the shape of a horseshoe (Hawkins). The five trilithons that were structured consisted of two upright stones capped with one horizontal stone. These stones were spaced evenly and placed in the form of a horseshoe within the sarsen circle. The name "trilithon" is derived from the Greek word "three stones" (Alford). Each of the trilithons weighs average of 26 tons and about 13 feet high. Of the five trilithons only three remain standing. The other two trilithons lay crumbled where they once stood (Alford). The western part of the ring in Phase II was never completed. There is no indication as to why the builders broke off their plans after all the extraordinary efforts required in transporting them from Wales. Scientists believe that it may have been because they had conceived the idea of erecting the final and even more impressive temple, known as Stonehenge III.

In conclusion, Stonehenge was built in three main stages. The first stage, known as Stonehenge Phase I, was began in 2750 BC The first ditch was dug with small crude instrument

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Approximate Word count = 1627
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)