Question

Prehistoric people build this megalithic work on the Salisbury plain as a commemorative public monument. Compare Stonehenge and its probable function with a contemporary commemorative monument with which you are familiar. How are they similar and different in form, setting, and meaning?

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) The Stonehenge consists of vertical rocks placed in a circular formation as columns. Each rock column is firmly placed into the ground and stands about thirteen feet high. The most intriguing thing about the Stonehenge is that it was set up around the year 3000 BC when humans did not have the technology to undertake such a laborious task. Furthermore, is true purpose is still left to speculation and even the most experienced researchers are not absolutely sure as to why it was built. However, the positioning of the rocks would help to logically surmise that is was probably some kind of observatory. It wouldn’t be unusual to chart the stars or the sun during those years. The Greeks were already studying the stars at that time.

Another monument that strikes a similar intrigue is the “Jantar Mantar” at Jaipur in India. It is an observatory that is basically a life-size clock that chart out the time for the entire year, right down to the second. In other words, the shadows tracked on these pillars help the reader know the astrological month, the week, the day, the hour and the second of the year. This equinotical sundial was completed in the year 1735 and is newer than the Stonehenge. Built by Maharaja Jaisingh of Jaipur, this geometric marvel is a UNESCO heritage site as well.

Both of these structures are similar since they have strategically placed columns that seem to be charting or measuring a certain unit. However, the biggest difference is that the Stonehenge doesn’t seem to be graduated with markings or a scale. Whereas, the Jantar Mantar has a scale as fine as the centimetres and metres of a ruler in order to measure the minutes of the day.