Stonehenge: The Discovery with Dan Snow

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Summary

The historian pieces together the story of the ancient monument, revealing how modern discoveries have started to solve its many mysteries. He learns about the true skill and sophistication of its builders, its remarkably advanced solar alignments, exactly where those giant 20-ton stones came from, and how they were moved. Cutting-edge science shows how Stonehenge sat at the heart of a vast Stone Age network that brought people from right across Britain and beyond to build, celebrate and be buried there

Review

Stephen Kelly

Stonehenge was constructed around 4,500 years ago, the same time the Egyptians built the Pyramids. This was before the wheel was introduced to Britain, before any of its towns or cities existed. For centuries, questions of how and why this marvel was built have fascinated and frustrated.

Here in a programme first shown in 2024, Dan Snow pieces together what we know. The big one is that the monument was built to align with the sun on the solstices, suggesting familiarity with astronomy. Yet recent discoveries have also revealed how its 20-ton stones were transported (by sledge) and where they came from (West Woods near Marlborough). All of which makes Stonehenge even more spectacular.

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rolenamePresenterDan SnowDirectorNick Gillam-SmithExecutive producerBill Locke

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