The relic remains one of our island’s most elusive slices of history – for now (Image: Getty)
, one of the most iconic and mysterious monuments of ancient Britain, has puzzled researchers for centuries. Erected by prehistoric peoples over 5,000 years ago, its true purpose remains a subject of intense debate.
Was it a or a place of celestial observation? Was it a burial ground or perhaps a location for rituals and sacrifices? The arrangement of the giant stones, particularly their alignment with the sun during solstices, has fuelled many theories about its significance.
Archaeologists have unearthed numerous artefacts near Stonehenge, providing valuable insights into its past, but the monument’s original purpose remains elusive.
In an innovative attempt to unlock some of its secrets, a team of researchers from in the UK turned to modern technology, recreating a 3D model of the site to study the effects of its acoustics.
This cutting-edge project aimed to explore how the unique structure of Stonehenge may have impacted sound, offering new perspectives on its possible uses.
The first parts of Stonehenge were built 5,000 years ago, making it one of the UK’s oldest monuments (Image: Getty)
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Led by acoustical engineer Trevor Cox, the team used laser scanning technology to digitally capture the stone formation in extraordinary detail.
They then printed a scaled-down , about one-twelfth the size of the original, to test the acoustics within the monument. The researchers focused on understanding how sounds—whether spoken words, music, or ceremonial chants—might have behaved within the structure’s circular arrangement.
This research was prompted by the intriguing way in which the stones are placed. The monument’s layout suggests that speech or sound inside Stonehenge would not project outward, meaning those standing outside the structure wouldn’t hear what was happening inside.
The scientists replicated this phenomenon by designing their model with careful attention to sound dynamics, using 27 printed stones of varying sizes and shapes to simulate the original structure. Cast with materials designed to replicate the sound-absorbing properties of the real stones, the team were able to measure how sound would behave within the space.
To investigate, the team used speakers and microphones positioned around the scale model, introducing a variety of sound frequencies, from low tones to high-pitched notes. The results were astonishing. Despite the gaps in the model, sound waves that were projected into the replica lingered for a short time within the structure.
The “reverberation time”—the time it takes for a sound to decay by 60 decibels—was about 0.6 seconds for mid-frequency sounds inside the model. This indicated that sounds inside Stonehenge could have been amplified, particularly in the case of voices or instruments, enhancing their presence during rituals or ceremonies.
The 3D model enabled researchers to observe how sound operated when produced from inside the circle (Image: University of Salford)
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Interestingly, the research revealed that the sounds inside the replica did not echo in the traditional sense. Instead, they were trapped within the inner stone circle, obscured by the outer sarsen stones. This finding suggests that Stonehenge may have functioned as a kind of acoustic chamber, enhancing the sounds within it.
This would have made the experience of sounds—be it spoken words, chants, or the rhythm of drums—feel far more dramatic and immersive. It is plausible that Stonehenge’s unique acoustics played a significant role in ritualistic or , amplifying the sounds to create a sense of reverence or awe.
The study, conducted in 2020, presents a compelling new angle on Stonehenge’s function. While it doesn’t definitively answer the monument’s purpose, it provides a fascinating glimpse into how its architecture may have been carefully designed to enhance the auditory experience.
These findings also suggest that Stonehenge could have been a key site for ritualistic events, where music, chants, and ceremonial speech would have been amplified, contributing to the sacred atmosphere of the space.
As the study progresses, it’s clear that the purpose of Stonehenge is far more complex than previously imagined. Perhaps, rather than merely serving as a physical structure, Stonehenge was a place where sound, music, and ritual combined in a way that would have profoundly impacted those who gathered there thousands of years ago.