STONEHENGE - UK UNESCO - A TO Z

 

  STONEHENGE, SALISBURY PLAIN WILTSHIRE - UNITED KINGDOM UNESCO MISSIONS - WHITEHALL COURT LONDON SW1A 2EL - NATIONAL COMMISSIONERS 2024 TO 2025 A TO Z OF MISSIONS

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Stonehenge is one of the most iconic and mysterious prehistoric monuments in the world. Early constructors only had stone and wood from which to build. Steel and glass would come later. It is natural then, for humans to use what was available to them: stone.

What is it?

Stonehenge is a massive stone circle located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. It consists of an outer ring of vertical sarsen stones (the larger ones) topped by horizontal lintel stones, and an inner ring of smaller bluestones. It's a truly impressive feat of engineering, especially considering it was built thousands of years ago. 

When was it built?

Construction of Stonehenge happened in stages, starting around 3000 BC and continuing until about 1600 BC. That means it was built during the Neolithic period and the early Bronze Age! 

Who built it and why?

This is where the mystery comes in. We don't know for sure who built Stonehenge or exactly why. There are many theories:

- Burial ground: Some evidence suggests it was used as a burial ground, as human bones have been found at the site. 

- Astronomical calendar: The alignment of the stones with the sun's solstices and equinoxes suggests it may have been used as a calendar or for astronomical observations. 

- Ceremonial site: It could have been a place for religious ceremonies or rituals.

 

- Symbol of power: The sheer effort required to build Stonehenge suggests it was a symbol of power and organization for the people who created it.

How was it built?

This is another big question mark! The stones are incredibly heavy, and some of the bluestones were transported from Wales, over 150 miles away. How did people without modern technology manage to move and erect these stones? It's a puzzle that continues to intrigue researchers. 

Why is it so famous?

Stonehenge is famous because:

- It's ancient: It's one of the most significant prehistoric monuments in the world. 
- It's mysterious: We don't know exactly who built it or why, which adds to its allure.
- It's impressive: The scale and complexity of the structure are awe-inspiring.
- It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site: This designation recognizes its cultural significance.

Visiting Stonehenge:

If you ever get the chance to visit Stonehenge, it's definitely worth it. Seeing it in person is a truly humbling experience. You can walk around the stones, learn about the different theories surrounding its purpose, and imagine what life was like for the people who built it.

Stonehenge is a reminder of the ingenuity and mystery of our ancestors. It's a place that sparks the imagination and leaves you with more questions than answers, which is perhaps part of its enduring appeal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW DOES STONEHENGE COMPARE TO THE GREAT PYRAMIDS

 

Here's a breakdown of how Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids compare in terms of their construction timelines.

Great Pyramids of Giza:

Construction: Primarily built during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, roughly between 2580-2560 BC.
Time Period: Old Kingdom of Egypt, specifically the Fourth Dynasty. 

Key Feature: Monumental tombs for pharaohs with intricate internal structures. 

Here's the key takeaway:

Stonehenge's construction began earlier than the Great Pyramids. The initial phases of Stonehenge date back to around 3000 BC, while the Great Pyramids were built a few centuries later, around 2580-2560 BC.

Think of it this way. Imagine a timeline of ancient wonders. Stonehenge's first stones were being placed while the Egyptians were still developing the techniques that would later allow them to build the pyramids. By the time the Great Pyramids were completed, Stonehenge was already well into its various phases of construction and modification.

What does this tell us?

Different cultures, different timelines: Both Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids are testaments to the ingenuity and ambition of ancient peoples. However, they arose in different cultural contexts and at slightly different points in history.
The long arc of history: These monuments remind us that human civilization has a long and complex history, with different societies achieving remarkable feats of engineering and artistry at different times.

It's fascinating to compare these iconic structures and consider the societies that created them. They offer a glimpse into the past and raise questions about the beliefs, practices, and technologies of our ancestors.

 

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/history-and-stories/history/significance/

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/history-and-stories/history/significance/

 

 

 

 

The Great Pyramids at Giza, Memphis Necropolis, Egypt

 

 

A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity".

 

 

 

 

 



 The UK's National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC) was established in 1946. it is held to be a vital part of UNESCO’s unique global network of 190+ national cooperating bodies known as National Commissions.

The National Commission is a constitutional part of the UK’s membership of UNESCO. They are an independent, not-for-profit organisation, supported by grant funding from the UK government.

Their work is embedded in UNESCO’s global goal of building lasting peace through the ‘intellectual and moral solidarity of humankind’, relying on the common goods of education, science, culture, and communication & information, free from discrimination. This is enshrined within UNESCO's founding Constitution of 1945.

 

According to their website, the UK's National Commission for UNESCO is governed by a Board of Non-Executive Directors, led by their Chair. Each Non-Executive Director is formally appointed by the FCDO and is a specialist in one of UNESCO’s core programme areas. The day-to-day operations of the Commission are undertaken by a Secretariat, led by our Chief Executive and Secretary-General.

The National Commission works in collaboration to the UK Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, including the UK Ambassador.

 

 

SITES IN OR ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM

 

There are 33 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories. The UNESCO list contains one designated site in both England and Scotland (the Frontiers of the Roman Empire) plus eighteen exclusively in England, five in Scotland, four in Wales, one in Northern Ireland, and one in each of the overseas territories of Bermuda, Gibraltar, the Pitcairn Islands, and Saint Helena. There is an additional site partly in the UK territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, but is regarded to be part of Cyprus's list. The first sites in the UK to be inscribed on the World Heritage List were Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast; Durham Castle and Cathedral; Ironbridge Gorge; Studley Royal Park including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey; Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites; and the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd in 1986. The latest sites to be inscribed were The Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales and Bath Spa (as a component of the Great Spas of Europe) in July 2021.

The constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (commonly referred to as UNESCO) was ratified in 1946 by 26 countries, including the UK. Its purpose was to provide for the "conservation and protection of the world’s inheritance of books, works of art and monuments of history and science". The UK contributes £130,000 annually to the World Heritage Fund which finances the preservation of sites in developing countries. Some designated properties contain multiple sites that share a common geographical location or cultural heritage.

The United Kingdom National Commission for UNESCO advises the British government, which is responsible for maintaining its World Heritage Sites, on policies regarding UNESCO. The UK National Commission for UNESCO conducted research in 2014–15 on the Wider Value of UNESCO to the UK, and found that the UK's World Heritage Sites generated an estimated £85 million from April 2014 to March 2015 through their association with the global network.

World Heritage Site selection criteria i–vi are culturally related, and selection criteria vii–x are the natural criteria. Twenty-three properties are designated as "cultural", four as "natural", and one as "mixed". The breakdown of sites by type was similar to the overall proportions; of the 1,121 sites on the World Heritage List, 77.5% are cultural, 19% are natural, and 3.5% are mixed. St Kilda is the only mixed World Heritage Site in the UK. Originally preserved for its natural habitats alone, the site was expanded in 2005 to include the crofting community that once inhabited the archipelago; the site became one of only 25 mixed sites worldwide. The natural sites are the Dorset and East Devon Coast; Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast; Gough and Inaccessible Islands; and Henderson Island. The rest are cultural.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TENTATIVE LISTINGS UK 2023

 

- Birkenhead the People’s Park [Cultural]
- East Atlantic Flyway – England East Coast Wetlands [Natural]
- The Flow Country [Natural]
- Gracehill Moravian Church Settlements [Cultural, Transnational]
- Little Cayman Marine Parks and Protected Areas [Natural]
- York [Cultural]
- The Zenith of Iron Age Shetland [Cultural]

 

 

ACCREDITED LISTINGS UK

 

BLAENAVON - NATIONAL COAL MUSEUM, IRONWORKS, CULTURAL LANDSCAPE, SOUTH WALES

STONEHENGE - PREHISTORIC, NEOLITHIC STONE CIRCLES, SALISBURY PLAIN, WILTSHIRE

WESTMINSTER ABBEY - HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, LONDON, ENGLAND

 

 

INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITED LISTINGS

 

ACROPOLIS - ATHENS, ANCIENT GREEKS, PARTHENON, TEMPLE ATHENA NIKE

ANGKOR WAT - HINDU BUDDHIST TEMPLE RELIGIOUS COMPLEX, CAMBODIA

CHICHEN ITZA - ANCIENT MAYAN CITY, YUCATAN PENINSULA, MEXICO

COLOSSEUM - ROMAN HISTORIC CITY CENTRE, ROME, PANTHEON, ITALY

EASTER ISLAND - RAPA NUI, POLYNESIAN HEAD STATUES, PACIFIC OCEAN

GREAT WALL OF CHINA - 3RD CENTURY BC EMPEROR QIN SHI HUANG & MING DYNASTY

MACHU PICCHU - PYRAMID, PERU, INCAN LOST CITY, ANDES

PETRA - TREASURY, AL-KHAZNEH, SIQ GORGE, NABATAEANS, SOUTHERN JORDAN

PYRAMIDS - GREAT SPHINX, MEMPHIS NECROPOLIS, GIZA, EGYPT

TAJ MAHAL - MAUSOLEUM BUILT BY SHAH JAHAN, AGRA, INDIA

VATICAN CITY - THE WORLD'S SMALLEST, HOLIEST CHRISTIAN STATE

 

TENTATIVE LISTINGS

 

PORT ROYAL - JAMAICAN SUNKEN CITY 1692, PIRATES HISTORY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONTACTS


98, 3 Whitehall Ct, London
SW1A 2EL, UK
+44 (0) 203 4567 6789
info@unesco.org.uk

 

 

LINKS & REFERENCE

 

https://unesco.org.uk/

https://unesco.org.uk/

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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