Test Your Knowledge: Obscure Stonehenge Facts Quiz

Stonehenge is full of mysteries, but how well do you know its lesser-known details? Take this seven-question quiz to find out! Each question dives into verified but obscure facts about the iconic monument. Write down your answers, then check them below.

Question 1: The Aubrey Holes

What is the significance of the 56 Aubrey Holes found at Stonehenge?

1. They were used to store grain during ceremonies.
2. They likely held timber posts or stones in the earliest phase of the monument.
3. They were dug to mark the positions of the sarsen stones.
4. They served as a drainage system for the site.

Question 2: The Altar Stone’s Origin

Recent research revealed that Stonehenge’s Altar Stone, a large sandstone slab, likely came from an unexpected location. Where is it believed to have been quarried?

1. The Preseli Hills in Wales
2. The Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire
3. Northeast Scotland
4. The Brecon Beacons in Wales

Question 3: Acoustic Properties

What unusual property was discovered about Stonehenge’s original complete structure through acoustic research?

1. It amplified sounds made inside the circle while containing them within it.
2. It created echoes that mimicked human speech.
3. It silenced all external noises completely.
4. It produced a low hum when wind passed through.

Question 4: Mesolithic Postholes

What was found beneath the old Stonehenge car park, dating back to around 8000 BC?

1. A small stone circle predating the main monument
2. Four or five large postholes from pine posts
3. A collection of Neolithic tools
4. Evidence of a prehistoric settlement

Question 5: The Y and Z Holes

What is the purpose of the Y and Z Holes, two rings of pits dug around Stonehenge’s sarsen stones?

1. They were used to anchor additional stones that were never erected.
2. Their purpose remains unknown, with no clear archaeological evidence.
3. They served as a boundary for a sacred inner area.
4. They were filled with offerings during solstice ceremonies.

Question 6: Roman Artifacts

What evidence suggests Roman activity at Stonehenge?

1. A Roman temple was built directly on the site.
2. Pottery, coins, and other artifacts were found during excavations.
3. A written Roman account describes visiting the stones.
4. The stones were rearranged by Roman engineers.

Question 7: Charles Darwin’s Visit

Why did Charles Darwin visit Stonehenge in 1877?

1. To study the alignment of the stones with the stars
2. To investigate the earth-moving activities of earthworms
3. To collect rock samples for geological analysis
4. To sketch the monument for a historical study

Ready to see how you did? Click below to reveal the answers and explanations!

Show Answers and Explanations

Answers and Explanations

Question 1: The Aubrey Holes
Answer: b) They likely held timber posts or stones in the earliest phase of the monument.
Explanation: The Aubrey Holes, named after 17th-century antiquarian John Aubrey, are a circle of 56 pits just inside Stonehenge’s earthwork enclosure. Archaeological evidence suggests they were part of the site’s first phase around 3000 BC, possibly holding timber posts or even stones, though some contained cremated remains, indicating a ceremonial role.

Question 2: The Altar Stone’s Origin
Answer: c) Northeast Scotland
Explanation: In 2024, studies published in Nature showed that the Altar Stone, unlike the Welsh bluestones, was likely sourced from northeast Scotland, over 450 miles away. This suggests Neolithic people transported it an astonishing distance, possibly by land or sea, challenging assumptions about their logistical capabilities.

Question 3: Acoustic Properties
Answer: a) It amplified sounds made inside the circle while containing them within.
Explanation: Research by acoustic engineers at the University of Salford found that Stonehenge’s original unbroken circle of stones amplified voices and music by about 4 decibels inside the monument, with minimal sound escaping outside. This suggests it could have enhanced ceremonial performances for those within the circle.

Question 4: Mesolithic Postholes
Answer: b) Four or five large postholes from pine posts
Explanation: Excavations near Stonehenge’s former car park uncovered four or five large postholes from around 8000 BC, predating the main monument by thousands of years. These held pine posts about 2.5 feet in diameter, likely part of a Mesolithic structure, hinting at early human activity in the area.

Question 5: The Y and Z Holes
Answer: b) Their purpose remains unknown, with no clear archaeological evidence.
Explanation: The Y and Z Holes, concentric rings of pits dug between 1800 and 1500 BC, surround the sarsen stones. Despite extensive study, archaeologists have found no definitive evidence of their function—whether structural, ceremonial, or otherwise—making them one of Stonehenge’s enduring mysteries.

Question 6: Roman Artifacts
Answer: b) Pottery, coins, and other artifacts were found during excavations.
Explanation: Excavations at Stonehenge have uncovered Roman pottery, coins, and metal objects, indicating that Romans visited or used the site, possibly as a place of curiosity or ritual. These finds, displayed at the Stonehenge visitor center, show the monument’s significance persisted into later periods.

Question 7: Charles Darwin’s Visit
Answer: b) To investigate the earth-moving activities of earthworms
Explanation: Darwin visited Stonehenge to study how earthworms affected soil and objects over time. He observed that a fallen stone had sunk deeper into the ground due to worm activity, part of his broader research on earthworms’ ecological impact, later published in his book The Formation of Vegetable Mould.

How did you do? Count one point for each correct answer. 7 points: You’re a Stonehenge sage! 5-6: Impressive knowledge of the obscure. 3-4: Solid effort, but there’s more to uncover. 0-2: Time to revisit Salisbury Plain’s secrets!

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