Heelstone, Ancient stone marker at Stonehenge, England.
The Heelstone is an upright sarsen block standing near Stonehenge, positioned at some distance from the main stone circle. It rises to about 5 meters in height and tilts noticeably, making it recognizable from various angles in the landscape.
The stone was set in place during the Neolithic period as part of Stonehenge's design. It functioned as a marker for significant celestial events, reflecting the builders' knowledge of the sun's movements.
The stone holds special meaning for visitors during solstice observations, when people gather to watch the sun align with the ancient markers. It serves as a focal point where astronomy and human purpose meet in the landscape.
The stone sits outside the main protected stone circle area and can be viewed from various points along visitor pathways. You get the clearest view in early morning or late afternoon light, when shadows enhance the surface details.
Beneath the surface, a circular depression was discovered that suggests other structures once stood in this spot. This find reveals the area holds hidden archaeological layers from an earlier phase of the site's use.
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