# Henge

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Type of Neolithic earthwork

This article is about stone age earth and stone constructs. For the film, see [*Henge* (film)](/source/Henge_(film)). For henge in Japanese folklore, see [*Yōkai*](/source/Y%C5%8Dkai). For other uses, see [Henge (disambiguation)](/source/Henge_(disambiguation)).

The three aligned henges of the [Thornborough Henges](/source/Thornborough_Henges) complex

A **henge** can be one of three related types of [Neolithic](/source/Neolithic) [earthwork](/source/Earthworks_(archaeology)). The essential characteristic of all three is that they feature a ring-shaped bank and ditch, with the ditch inside the bank. Because the internal ditches would have served defensive purposes poorly, henges are not considered to have been defensive constructions (cf. [circular rampart](/source/Circular_rampart)).

The three henge types (figures in brackets indicate the approximate diameter of the central flat area) are:

1. **Henge** (> 20 m (65 ft)).[1] The word *henge* refers to a particular type of earthwork of the Neolithic period, typically consisting of a roughly circular or oval-shaped bank with an internal ditch surrounding a central flat area of more than 20 m (66 ft) in diameter. There is typically little if any evidence of occupation in a henge, although they may contain ritual structures such as [stone circles](/source/Stone_circle), [timber circles](/source/Timber_circle) and [coves](/source/Cove_(standing_stones)). **Henge monument** is sometimes used as a synonym for henge. Henges sometimes, but by no means always, featured stone or timber circles, and **circle henge** is sometimes used to describe these structures. The three largest stone circles in Britain ([Avebury](/source/Avebury), the Great Circle at [Stanton Drew stone circles](/source/Stanton_Drew_stone_circles), and the [Ring of Brodgar](/source/Ring_of_Brodgar)) are each within a henge. Examples of henges without significant internal monuments are the three henges of [Thornborough Henges](/source/Thornborough_Henges). Although having given its name to the word *henge*, [Stonehenge](/source/Stonehenge) is atypical in that the ditch is outside the main earthwork bank.

1. **Hengiform monument** (5–20 m (15–65 ft)).[2] Like an ordinary henge, except the central flat area is between 5 and 20 m (16–66 ft) in diameter, they comprise a modest earthwork with a fairly wide outer bank. The terms **mini-henge** (also *minihenge*) or **Dorchester henge** are sometimes used as synonyms for hengiform monument. An example is the Neolithic site at [Wormy Hillock Henge](/source/Wormy_Hillock_Henge).

1. **Henge enclosure** (> 300 m (1,000 ft)).[3] A Neolithic ring earthwork with the ditch inside the bank, with the central flat area having abundant evidence of occupation and usually being more than 300 m (980 ft) in diameter. Some true henges are as large as this (e.g., Avebury), but lack evidence of domestic occupation. **Mega henge**, **Super-henge** or *superhenge* is sometimes used as a synonym for a henge enclosure. Sometimes the term is used to indicate size alone rather than use, e.g. "[Marden henge](/source/Marden_henge) ... is the least understood of the four British 'superhenges' (the others being [Avebury](/source/Avebury), [Durrington Walls](/source/Durrington_Walls) and [Mount Pleasant Henge](/source/Mount_Pleasant_Henge))".[4][5]

## Etymology

The word *henge* is a [backformation](/source/Backformation) from [Stonehenge](/source/Stonehenge), the famous monument in [Wiltshire](/source/Wiltshire).[6] The term was first coined in 1932 by [Thomas Kendrick](/source/T._D._Kendrick), who later became the Keeper of British Antiquities at the [British Museum](/source/British_Museum).[7][8][9] A broader usage of *henge* to refer to standing-stone monuments was recorded in Yorkshire in 1740, from [Old English](/source/Old_English) usage dating to at least the 10th century,[10] with a root of either *hencg* '[hinge](/source/Hinge)', or *hen(c)en* '[to hang](/source/Hanging), to suspend'.[11]

Stonehenge is not a true henge, as its ditch runs outside its bank, although there is a small extant external bank as well.

## Forms

[Avebury](/source/Avebury) henge contains several stone circles

Henges may be classified as follows:

- **Class I** henges, which have a single entrance created from a gap in the bank;

- **Class II** henges which have two entrances, diametrically opposite each other;

- **Class III** henges, which have four entrances, facing each other in pairs.

Sub groups exist for these when two or three internal ditches are present rather than one.[12] Henges are usually associated with the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, and especially with the pottery of this period: Grooved Ware, Impressed Wares (formerly known as Peterborough Ware), and Beakers. Sites such as [Stonehenge](/source/Stonehenge) also provide evidence of activity from the later [Bronze Age](/source/Bronze_Age) [Wessex culture](/source/Wessex_culture).

A [lidar](/source/Lidar) view of the henge and the site of two Roman forts at [Newton Kyme](/source/Newton_Kyme) in North Yorkshire

A [lidar](/source/Lidar) view of [Ferrybridge Henge](/source/Ferrybridge_Henge) in West Yorkshire

Henges often contain evidence of a variety of internal features, including timber or stone circles, pits, or [burials](/source/Burial), which may pre- or post-date the henge enclosure. A henge should not be confused with a stone circle within it, as henges and stone circles can exist together or separately.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] At [Arbor Low](/source/Arbor_Low) in [Derbyshire](/source/Derbyshire), all the stones except one are laid flat and do not seem to have been erected, as no stone holes have been found. Elsewhere, often only the stone holes remain to indicate a former circle.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Some of the best-known henges are at:

- [Avebury](/source/Avebury), about 20 miles (32 km) north of [Stonehenge](/source/Stonehenge) on [Salisbury Plain](/source/Salisbury_Plain), in [Wiltshire](/source/Wiltshire)

- [Knowlton Circles](/source/Knowlton_Circles), henge complex in [Dorset](/source/Dorset)

- [Maumbury Rings](/source/Maumbury_Rings) in [Dorset](/source/Dorset) (later reused as a Roman [amphitheatre](/source/Amphitheatre)[13] and then as a [Civil War](/source/English_Civil_War) fort)[13]

- [Mayburgh Henge](/source/Mayburgh_Henge) in [Cumbria](/source/Cumbria)

- The [Ring of Brodgar](/source/Ring_of_Brodgar) in [Orkney](/source/Orkney)

- [Thornborough Henges](/source/Thornborough_Henges) complex in [Yorkshire](/source/Yorkshire)

Henges sometimes formed part of a [ritual landscape](/source/Ritual_landscape) or complex, with other [Neolithic](/source/Neolithic) and [Bronze Age](/source/Bronze_Age) monuments inside and outside the henge. Earlier monuments associated with a later henge might include Neolithic monuments such as a [cursus](/source/Cursus) (e.g., at Thornborough Henges the central henge overlies the cursus), or a long barrow, such as the [West Kennet Long Barrow](/source/West_Kennet_Long_Barrow) at [Avebury, Wiltshire](/source/Avebury%2C_Wiltshire), or, as in the case of Stonehenge, [Mesolithic](/source/Mesolithic) post holes. A circle of large pits c. 2 km (1+1⁄4 mi) across is centered on [Durrington Walls](/source/Durrington_Walls) henge.[14][15] Later monuments added after the henge was built might include Bronze Age [cairns](/source/Cairn) as at [Arbor Low](/source/Arbor_Low).

An aerial view of the henge site and cairn on [Cairnpapple Hill](/source/Cairnpapple_Hill) in West Lothian

Examples of such ritual landscapes are:

- [Balfarg](/source/Balfarg) in [Fife](/source/Fife), [Scotland](/source/Scotland)

- Dunragit archaeological excavation site in [Wigtownshire](/source/Wigtownshire)[16]

- [Heart of Neolithic Orkney](/source/Heart_of_Neolithic_Orkney), the UNESCO World Heritage Site on the [Mainland](/source/Mainland), one of the islands of [Orkney](/source/Orkney), [Scotland](/source/Scotland)

- [Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites](/source/Stonehenge%2C_Avebury_and_Associated_Sites), the UNESCO World Heritage Site located in [Wiltshire](/source/Wiltshire), [England](/source/England)

- already mentioned: [Arbor Low](/source/Arbor_Low), [Knowlton Circles](/source/Knowlton_Circles), [Stanton Drew stone circles](/source/Stanton_Drew_stone_circles), and [Thornborough Henges](/source/Thornborough_Henges)

Burials have been recorded at a number of excavated henges, both pre-dating the henge and as a result of secondary reuse. For example:

- At Avebury, at least two very disturbed [inhumations](/source/Inhumation) were found in the central area[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- [Cairnpapple](/source/Cairnpapple) and [North Mains](/source/North_Mains) both had some burials that pre-date the henges, as well others that post-date them[17][18]

- At [King Arthur's Round Table, Cumbria](/source/King_Arthur's_Round_Table%2C_Cumbria), a cremation trench lay within the monument[19]

- At [Woodhenge](/source/Woodhenge), a central burial of a child was interpreted by its excavators as a dedicatory offering [20]

- At [Maxey](/source/Maxey%2C_Cambridgeshire), two cremation pit circles in the southern half of the henge, burials was also present within this monument[21]

## Origin and distribution

The [Ring of Brodgar](/source/Ring_of_Brodgar), [Orkney](/source/Orkney), is a possible area of origin for henges

Efforts to delineate a direct lineage for the henge from earlier enclosures have not been conclusive. Their chronological overlap with older structures makes it difficult to classify them as a coherent tradition. They seem to take the concept of creating a space separate from the outside world one step further than the [causewayed enclosure](/source/Causewayed_enclosure), and they focus attention on an internal point. In some cases, the construction of the bank and ditch was a stage that followed other activity on the site. At [Balfarg](/source/Balfarg), [North Mains](/source/North_Mains), and [Cairnpapple](/source/Cairnpapple), for example, earlier [cremations](/source/Cremation) and deliberate smashing of pottery predate the enclosure.

Concentrations of henges occur over much of Britain. [Orkney](/source/Orkney) (Cunliffe 2001) and [Wessex](/source/Wessex) (Burl 1969) have both been suggested as the original [provenance](/source/Provenance) of the monument type; however, others remain unconvinced (Barclay 2005). Unlike earlier enclosure monuments, henges were not usually built on hilltops but on low-lying ground, often close to watercourses and good agricultural land.

Some scholars, such as the editors of the 1982 edition of the *Penguin Dictionary of Archaeology* (Bray and Trump, 1982), have claimed that henges are unique to the [British Isles](/source/British_Isles). They state that similar, much earlier, circles on the European continent, such as [Goseck circle](/source/Goseck_circle) (which has no bank), and later ones such as [Goloring](/source/Goloring) are not proper "henges". But *The Penguin Archaeological Guide* (Bahn, 2001) does not comment on geographical locations for henges.

Excavated henge ditch on Wyke Down (Dorset). The ditch was originally dug as a [causewayed enclosure](/source/Causewayed_enclosure) and may therefore not be a henge.

[Julian Cope](/source/Julian_Cope), in *The Megalithic European*,[22] proposes that the henge was a regional development from the Europe-wide [causewayed enclosure](/source/Causewayed_enclosure). He notes it appeared following a cultural upheaval in around 3000 BC, which inspired the peoples of Neolithic Europe to develop more independently. He notes the [rondel enclosures](/source/Rondel_enclosure) of [Bavaria](/source/Bavaria)'s [Isar Valley](/source/Isar_Valley), which according to investigations by the German archaeologist R. A. Maier, "drew comparisons with the henge monuments and causewayed enclosures of the British Isles." Although still with a multiple-causewayed ditch and entrances at cardinal points, the roundels are described by John Hodgson (2003) as not being positioned with defensive aims in mind. The largest, at Kothingeichendorf, appeared to be "midway between a henge and a causewayed enclosure".

[Alasdair Whittle](/source/Alasdair_Whittle) (2005) also views the development of the henge as a regional variation within a European tradition that included a variety of ditched enclosures. He notes that henges and the [grooved ware](/source/Grooved_ware) pottery often found at them are two examples of the British Neolithic not found on the Continent. [Caroline Malone](/source/Caroline_Malone) (2001) also says that henges were not built in the rest of Western Europe, but they developed from a broader tradition of enclosure to become "a phenomenon of the British Isles, a native tradition with sophisticated architecture and calendrical functions."

## Interpretation

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Henges may have been used for [rituals](/source/Ritual) or [astronomical observation](/source/Astronomy) rather than day-to-day activity. That their ditches are located inside their banks indicates that they were not used for defence, and that the barrier of the earthworks was more likely symbolic than functional. Following arguments presented for [Irish](/source/Ireland) [Iron Age](/source/Iron_Age) enclosures, Barclay suggested that they are 'defensive': that the ditch and bank face something 'dangerous' inside the enclosure. He has also suggested that the considerable range of elements surrounded by the earthworks, and the very long date range, are because henges were designed mainly to enclose pre-existing ceremonial sites that were seen as 'ritually charged' and therefore dangerous to people. It has been conjectured that whatever took place inside the enclosures was intended to be separate from the outside world and perhaps known only to select individuals or groups.

The alignment of henges is a contentious issue. Popular belief is that their entrances point towards certain heavenly bodies. But henge orientation is highly variable and may have been determined more by local topography than by desire for symbolic orientation. Statistical analysis showed that Class I henges have a slight tendency to have an entrance set in the north or north-east quarter. Class II henges generally have their axes aligned approximately south-east to north-west or north-east to south-west.

It has been suggested that the stone and timber structures sometimes built inside henges were used as solar declinometers to measure the position of the rising or setting sun. These structures do not appear in all henges; and when they do, often they are considerably more recent than the henges. Thus, they are not necessarily connected with the henge's original function. It has been conjectured that the henges would have been used to synchronize a calendar to the solar cycle for purposes of planting crops or timing religious rituals. Some henges have poles, stones or entrances that indicate the position of the rising or setting sun during the [equinoxes](/source/Equinox) and [solstices](/source/Solstice), while others appear to frame certain constellations. Additionally, many are placed so that nearby hills either mark or do not interfere with such observations. Finally, some henges appear to be placed at particular latitudes. For example, a number are placed at a [latitude](/source/Latitude) of 55 degrees north, where the same two markers can indicate the rising and setting sun for both the spring and autumn equinoxes. But as henges are present from the extreme north to the extreme south of Britain, their latitude could not have been of great importance.[23]

Formalisation is commonly attributed to henges: indications of the builders' concerns to control the arrival at, entrance into, and movement within the enclosures. This was achieved by placing flanking stones or [avenues](/source/Avenue_(archaeology)) at the entrances of some henges, or by dividing the internal space with [timber circles](/source/Timber_circle). While some henges were the first monuments to be built in their areas, others were added to already important landscapes, especially the larger examples.

The concentric nature of many of the internal features, such as the five rings of postholes at Balfarg or the six at Woodhenge, may represent a finer distinction than the inside-out differences suggested by henge earthworks. The ordering of space and the circular movement suggested by the sometimes densely packed internal features indicates a sophisticated degree of spatial understanding.

## Hengiform monument

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A near [infrared](/source/Infrared) image of the site of a prehistoric timber circle at [Beecraigs](/source/Beecraigs) in West Lothian

Hengiform monuments, or mini henges, are distributed throughout England and mainland Scotland (with examples as far north as Caithness), though no examples have been found in Wales. Pits, [cremations](/source/Cremation), [postholes](/source/Postholes), stone-sockets, and graves have been found within them, and postholes and cremation pits have also been found to be present close to the site in some cases. They typically have either one entrance or two opposing entrances. In plan, a mini henge can be mistaken for a ploughed-out [round barrow](/source/Round_barrow), although the former tend to be slightly larger and their earthworks more substantial. As with ordinary henges, they are thought to have served ritual purposes and are thought to be of late Neolithic date.[24]

## Henge enclosure

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Henge enclosures often contain or lie close to one or more ordinary henges. Finds of animal bone, [grooved ware](/source/Grooved_ware) pottery, and evidence of dwellings have been found and coupled with the time and energy needed to build them, it is considered that they must have been important social centres analogous to tribal capitals. Two or four evenly spaced entrances lead through the earthwork to the centre.

Maelmin Henge, constructed in 2000

## Modern henge monuments

A henge monument was restored at the [Devil's Quoits](/source/Devil's_Quoits) in Oxfordshire between 2002 and 2008.

In modern times a number of henge type monuments have been built, examples include:

- [Maelmin henge](/source/Maelmin_Henge) (2000) [25]

- Arctic Henge [Raufarhöfn](/source/Raufarh%C3%B6fn), [Iceland](/source/Iceland) (1996)[26]

- [Achill-henge](/source/Achill-henge) (2011), Ireland[27]

- [Sark Henge](/source/Sark_Henge), Sark, Channel Islands (2015)[28]

## See also

- [Archaeoastronomy](/source/Archaeoastronomy)

- [Calendar](/source/Calendar)

- [Circular ditches](/source/Circular_ditches)

- [Circular rampart](/source/Circular_rampart)

- [Dolmen](/source/Dolmen)

- [European megalithic culture](/source/European_megalithic_culture)

- [Megalith](/source/Megalith)

- [Menhir](/source/Menhir)

- [Pit alignments](/source/Pit_alignments)

- [Sundial](/source/Sundial)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Early Prehistoric Monuments - Henges"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110514050533/http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/sub/henges1.htm). English Heritage. Archived from [the original](http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/sub/henges1.htm) on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Early Prehistoric Monuments - Hengi-Form Monuments"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130602212229/http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/sub/hg1.htm). English Heritage. Archived from [the original](http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/sub/hg1.htm) on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Early Prehistoric Monuments - Henge Enclosure"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130602215010/http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/sub/henen1.htm). English Heritage. Archived from [the original](http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/sub/henen1.htm) on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Leary, Jim; Clarke, Amanda; Bell, Martin (July 2016). "Valley of the henges". *Current Archaeology*. XXVII, No. 4 (316): 28–34.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Mega_5-0)** Morris, Steven (4 November 2020). ["Dorset mega henge may be 'last hurrah' of stone-age builders"](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/nov/04/dorset-mega-henge-stone-age). *The Guardian*. Retrieved 9 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Anon. ["Henge definition"](http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/henge). *dictionary.com*. Dictionary.com LLC. Retrieved 4 September 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Rothwell, Henry. ["Henges – or the archaeology of etymology (or vice versa); The man who gave us the word"](http://digitaldigging.net/henges-or-the-archaeology-of-etymology-or-vice-versa/). *Digital digging*. Retrieved 4 September 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Pitts_8-0)** [Pitts, Michael](/source/Mike_Pitts_(archaeologist)) (2011). *Hengeworld*. [Random House](/source/Random_House). pp. 26–28. Stonehenge is not a henge. This bizarre contribution … was first used by … Thomas Kendrick. … Technically, [henges] are earthwork enclosures in which a ditch was dug to make a bank, which was thrown up on the outside edge of the ditch.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Garrow, Duncan; Wilkin, Neil (2022). *The World of Stonehenge*. London: British Museum Press. p. 19. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-07141-2349-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-07141-2349-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-OEDhenge_10-0)** ["Stonehenge; henge2"](https://archive.org/details/oxfordenglishdic0008unse). *[Oxford English Dictionary](/source/Oxford_English_Dictionary)* (2nd ed.). [Oxford University Press](/source/Oxford_University_Press). 1989. Quotes [William Stukeley](/source/William_Stukeley) (1740): "Pendulous rocks are now called henges in Yorkshire ... I doubt not, *Stonehenge* in Saxon signifies the 'hanging stones'."

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Chippindale, Christopher](/source/Christopher_Chippindale) (2004). *Stonehenge Complete*. London: Thames and Hudson. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-500-28467-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-500-28467-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-okneyjar_12-0)** Towrie, Sigurd. ["The definition of a henge"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180905194438/http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/henge.htm). *Orkneyjar: The Heritage of the Orkney Islands*. Sigurd Towrie. Archived from [the original](http://www.orkneyjar.com/history/henge.htm) on 5 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2009.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-vd_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-vd_13-1) ["Maumbury Rings"](http://visit-dorchester.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=40). Visit Dorchester. Retrieved 14 April 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Gaffney, Vincent; Baldwin, Eamonn; Bates, Martin; Bates, C. Richard; Gaffney, Christopher; Hamilton, Derek; Kinnaird, Tim; Neubauer, Wolfgang; Yorston, Ronald; Allaby, Robin; Chapman, Henry; Garwood, Paul; Löcker, Klaus; Hinterleitner, Alois; Sparrow, Tom; Trinks, Immo; Wallner, Mario; Leivers, Matthew (21 June 2020). ["A Massive, Late Neolithic Pit Structure associated with Durrington Walls Henge"](https://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue55/4/index.html). *Internet Archaeology* (55). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.11141/ia.55.4](https://doi.org/10.11141%2Fia.55.4). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[10454/18007](https://hdl.handle.net/10454%2F18007). Retrieved 23 June 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Gaffney, Vincent; Baldwin, Eamonn; Allaby, Robin; Bates, Martin; Bates, Richards; Finlay, Alex; Gaffney, Chris; Hansford, Teri; Kinnaird, Timothy; Neubauer, Wolfgang; Locker, Klaus; Sparrow, Tom; Trinks, Immo; Wallner, Mario; Ch'ng, Eugene (24 Nov 2025). ["The Perils of Pits: further research at Durrington Walls henge (2021–2025)"](https://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue69/19/index.html). *Internet Archaeology* (69). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.11141/ia.69.19](https://doi.org/10.11141%2Fia.69.19). Retrieved 24 Nov 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Dunragit"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140519201955/http://orgs.man.ac.uk/research/dunragit/). *orgs.man.ac.uk*. Archived from [the original](http://orgs.man.ac.uk/research/dunragit/) on 2014-05-19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Cairnpapple Hill"](https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/cairnpapple-hill/).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["North Mains, Strathallan | Canmore"](https://canmore.org.uk/site/26006/north-mains-strathallan).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Heritage Gateway - Results"](https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=11978&resourceID=19191).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Stonehenge. Woodhenge, the origins"](http://www.stonehenge-stone-circle.co.uk/woodhenge-wessex.htm).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Heritage Gateway - Results"](https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1030942&resourceID=19191).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Cope, Julian (2004). [*The Megalithic European: The 21st Century Traveller in Prehistoric Europe*](http://marketing.harpercollins.co.uk/Contents/Title/Pages/default.aspx?objId=24513). Harper Collins. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-00-713802-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-00-713802-9). Retrieved 4 September 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Henges – Gefrin"](https://gefrin.com/henges/). Retrieved 2026-01-19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["City of York Council Thesaurus"](https://her-staging.york.gov.uk/ThesaurusTerm/70098).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["The Henge - maelmin.org.uk"](https://www.maelmin.org.uk/index.php?page=the-henge#:~:text=With%20its%20entrance%20aligned%20on,part%20of%20a%20processional%20way.). *www.maelmin.org.uk*. Retrieved 2020-06-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["The Arctic Henge"](http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-arctic-henge). *Atlas Obscura*. Retrieved 2020-06-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Is Ireland's Achill-henge a beauty or a blight?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120216175213/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17034637). *BBC News*. 2012-02-16. Archived from [the original](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17034637) on February 16, 2012. Retrieved 2020-06-06.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["Sark Henge | Sark Island Tourism"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200606145357/https://www.sark.co.uk/sark-henge-12778/). 2016-01-19. Archived from [the original](https://www.sark.co.uk/sark-henge-12778/) on 2020-06-06. Retrieved 2020-06-06.

- Bahn, P.G. (ed.) (2001) *The Penguin Archaeological Guide*, Penguin, London.

- Barclay, G. J. (2005) *The henge and hengiform in Scotland*, in *Set in stone: new approaches to Neolithic monuments in Scotland*, Cummings, V. and Pannett, A. (eds.) Oxbow, Oxford, pp. 81–94.

- Bray, W. and Trump D. (eds.) (1982) *The Penguin Dictionary of Archaeology*, Penguin, London.

- Burl, A (1969). "Henges: internal features and regional groups". *Archaeological Journal*. **126**: 1–28. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/00665983.1969.11077434](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F00665983.1969.11077434).

- Cunliffe, B. (2001) *Facing the Ocean: the Atlantic and its Periphery 8000 BC–AD 1500*, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

- Hodgson, J. (2003) *Neolithic Enclosures in the Isar Valley, Bavaria* in *Enclosures and Defences in the Neolithic of Western Europe (Part ii)*, Burgess, C., Topping, P., Mordant, C. and Maddison, M. (eds.) Oxbow, quoted in Cope, J. (2004) *The Megalithic European*, HarperCollins, pp. 48–49.

- Malone, C. (2001) *Neolithic Britain and Ireland*, Tempus, Stroud.

- Whittle, A. (2005) *The Neolithic Period* in *The Archaeology of Britain*, Hunter, I. and Ralston, J. (eds.), Routledge, London.

## Bibliography

- Atkinson, R. J. C. (1951) *The henge monuments of Great Britain*.

- Thomas, J. (2004) *Understanding the Neolithic*, Routledge, London.

## External links

- [Gefrin website](http://www.gefrin.com/henges/about.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055855/http://www.gefrin.com/henges/about.htm) 2016-03-04 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Henges in Northumberland including computer animation of Milfield North henge.

- [English Heritage website:](https://web.archive.org/web/20110514050533/http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/mpp/mcd/sub/henges1.htm) "henge" defined

- [Henge search results](http://www.megalithic.co.uk/search.php?query=&sitetype=11) from [The Megalithic Portal](http://www.megalithic.co.uk/)

- [http://www.themodernantiquarian.com](http://www.themodernantiquarian.com)

- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311073420/http://henges.no.sapo.pt/](https://web.archive.org/web/20070311073420/http://henges.no.sapo.pt/) New Henge Theory – Engineering in Prehistory

- [Henge monuments at Digital Digging](https://web.archive.org/web/20090523222752/http://www.digitaldigging.co.uk/features/essays/henges.html)

v t e European megaliths Armenia Metsamor Zorats Karer Azerbaijan Gobustan Rocks Bulgaria Beglik Tash Garlo Tatul Sanctuary France Barnenez Tumulus of Bougon Caixa de Rotllan Carnac Menhir de Champ-Dolent Dolmen de Bagneux Broken Menhir of Er Grah Dolmen de Mané-Kerioned Filitosa Gallardet Dolmen Gavrinis Harrespil Hotié de Viviane Kerzérho Locmariaquer megaliths Mane Braz Paddaghju Peyre-Brune Tombeau de Merlin Tremeca Verziau of Gargantua Germany Altendorf Denghoog Fraubillen cross Harhoog Lancken-Granitz dolmens Lohra Megaliths in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Niedertiefenbach Oldendorfer Totenstatt Riesenstein Route of Megalithic Culture Sieben Steinhäuser Wotanstein Züschen Guernsey Castel Menhir Le Creux ès Faïes Déhus Dolmen Les Fouillages La Gran'mère du Chimquière Le Trépied La Varde Ireland List of five-stone circles List of multiple-stone circles Aideen's Grave Ardgroom Ardristan standing stones Beltany stone circle Bohonagh Brennanstown Portal Tomb Brownshill dolmen Brú na Bóinne Carraig á Mhaistin stone Carrigagulla Carrowmore Castlenalacht Stone Row Castlestrange Stone Creevykeel Court Tomb Drombeg Gaulstown Portal Tomb Glantane East Grange stone circle High cross Kealkill Knocknakilla Meehambee Dolmen Mount Venus Piper's Stones Poulnabrone dolmen Reask Templebryan Stone Circle Turoe Stone Uragh Stone Circle Jersey Jersey dolmens La Hougue Bie Malta Megalithic Temples (Borġ l-Imramma Borġ in-Nadur Buġibba Debdieba Ġgantija Ħaġar Qim Ħal Ġinwi Kordin Mnajdra Qortin l-Imdawwar Santa Verna Skorba Ta' Ħaġrat Ta' Marżiena Ta' Raddiena Tal-Qadi Tarxien Tas-Silġ Xemxija Xrobb l-Għaġin) Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum Xagħra Stone Circle Netherlands Hunebed Poland Brąchnówko Grzybnica Kuyavian Pyramids Odry Węsiory Portugal Almendres Cromlech Anta-Capela de Alcobertas Anta de Adrenunes Anta de Agualva Anta de Pavia Anta do Alto da Toupeira Antas do Barrocal Anta de Carcavelos Anta da Estria Anta da Foz do Rio Frio Anta do Monte Abraão Antas do Olival da Pêga Anta da Pedra dos Mouros Anta das Pedras Grandes Anta do Sobral Anta do Vale da Laje Antas da Valeira Anta da Vidigueira Anta Pintada de Antelas Cromeleque das Fontainhas Great Dolmen of Zambujeiro Barreira Megalithic Complex Dolmen of Cunha Baixa Dolmen of Carapito I Great Dolmen of Comenda da Igreja Dolmen of Orca Menhir of Outeiro Menhir of Bulhoa Portela de Mogos Cromlech Vale Maria do Meio Cromlech Xerez Cromlech Russia Dolmens of North Caucasus Thunder Stone Megaliths in the Urals Russian geoglyph Scandinavia Picture stones Runestones Stone circles Stone ships Spain Antequera Dolmens Site Chabola de la Hechicera Cova d'en Daina Dolmen de Axeitos Dolmen of Guadalperal Dolmen of Menga Dolmen de la Pastora Dolmen del prado de Lácara Dolmen de Soto Dolmen de Viera La Torre–La Janera Son Matge Turkey Obelisk of Theodosius Ukraine Boundary Stones United Kingdom England Arbor Low Avebury Barbrook One Birkrigg Boscawen-Un Boskednan Bridestones Brown Willy Cairns Bull Ring Burnmoor stone circles Castlerigg Craddock Moor Devil's Arrows Doll Tor Drizzlecombe Duloe Fernacre Five Wells Gardom's Edge Goodaver Grey Wethers Hoarstones Hordron Edge The Hurlers Leper Stone Long Meg and Her Daughters Mên-an-Tol Merry Maidens Mitchell's Fold Mulfra Quoit Nine Ladies Nine Stones, Altarnun Nine Stones Close Pipers Rollright Rudston Monolith Scorhill Stannon Stanton Drew Stonehenge Stripple Swinside Trethevy Quoit Trippet Northern Ireland Aughlish Ballynoe Beaghmore Corick Drumskinny Legananny Giant's Ring Scotland List of recumbent stone circles Auld Bourtreebush Balquhain Callanish I II III IV VIII X Carlin Cat Stane Clach an Trushal Colmeallie Dunnideer Drybridge Easter Aquhorthies Kirkton of Bourtie Loanhead of Daviot Lochmaben Stone Pictish Ring of Brodgar Sheldon Stenness Steinacleit Strichen Sunhoney Tomnaverie Tyrebagger Yonder Bognie Wales Barclodiad y Gawres Bedd Arthur Bedd Taliesin Bodowyr Bryn Cader Faner Bryn Celli Ddu Bryn Gwyn stones Capel Garmon Carreg Coetan Arthur Carreg Samson Coetan Arthur Foel Chwern Llanfechell Lligwy Burial Chamber Maen Llia Maen Madoc Meini Hirion Moel Tŷ Uchaf Parc Cwm long cairn Penrhos Feilw Pentre Ifan St Lythans burial chamber Trefignath Tinkinswood Tŷ Newydd Burial Chamber Whetstones Isle of Man Manx runestones General Axial stone circle Chambered cairn Concentric stone circle Cromlech Dolmen Gallery grave Henge Harrespil Irish megalithic tombs Menhir Standing stone Stone circle Stone row Recumbent stone circle Photographs of stone circles Middle Eastern megaliths

v t e Neolithic Europe (including the Chalcolithic) ↑ Mesolithic Europe ↑ Horizons Cardium pottery Corded Ware culture First Temperate Neolithic Linear Pottery culture (LBK) Cultures Baden Beaker Boian Butmir Cernavodă Cerny Chasséen Cortaillod Coțofeni Cucuteni–Trypillia Danilo Decea Mureşului Dudești Funnelbeaker Gaudo Globular Amphora Gornești Gumelnița–Karanovo Hamangia Horgen Kakanj Karanovo Lengyel Narva Neman Petrești Pit–Comb Ware Pitted Ware Pfyn Rössen Rzucewo Seine–Oise–Marne Sesklo Sopot Sredny Stog Starčevo–Körös–Criș Starčevo Körös Criş Tisza Tiszapolgár Varna Vinča Vlaardingen Vučedol Wartberg Windmill Hill Monumental architecture Bank barrow Causewayed enclosure Cist Cursus Dolmen Great dolmen Guardian stones Henge Kuyavian long barrows Long barrow Megalith Megalithic entrance Menhir Passage grave Polygonal dolmen Rectangular dolmen Rondel Round barrow Simple dolmen Statue menhir Stone circle Stone row Timber circle Tor enclosure Unchambered long barrow Technology Grooved ware Lithic industries Metallurgy Neolithic long house Unstan ware Concepts Danubian culture Secondary products revolution Old Europe Proto-Indo-Europeans ↓ Bronze Age Europe ↓

v t e Prehistoric technology Prehistory Timeline Outline Stone Age Subdivisions New Stone Age Technology history Glossary Tools Farming Neolithic Revolution Founder crops New World crops Ard / plough Celt Digging stick Domestication Goad Irrigation Secondary products Sickle Terracing Food processing (Paleolithic diet) Fire Basket Cooking Earth oven Granaries Grinding slab Ground stone Hearth Aşıklı Höyük Qesem Cave Manos Metate Mortar and pestle Pottery Quern-stone Storage pits Hunting Arrow Boomerang throwing stick Bow and arrow history Nets Spear spear-thrower baton harpoon Schöningen woomera Projectile points Arrowhead Transverse Bare Island Cascade Clovis Cresswell Cumberland Eden Folsom Lamoka Manis Mastodon Plano Systems Game drive system Buffalo jump Toolmaking Earliest toolmaking Oldowan Acheulean Mousterian Aurignacian Clovis culture Cupstone Fire hardening Gravettian culture Hafting Hand axe Grooves Langdale axe industry Levallois technique Lithic core Lithic reduction analysis debitage flake Lithic technology Magdalenian culture Metallurgy Microblade technology Mining Prepared-core technique Solutrean industry Striking platform Tool stone Uniface Yubetsu technique Other tools Adze Awl bone Axe Bannerstone Blade prismatic Bone tool Bow drill Burin Canoe Oar Pesse canoe Chopper tool Cleaver Denticulate tool Fire plough Fire-saw Hammerstone Knife Microlith Quern-stone Racloir Rope Scraper side Stone tool Tally stick Weapons Wheel illustration Architecture Ceremonial Kiva Pyramid Standing stones megalith row Stonehenge Dwellings Neolithic architecture long house British megalith architecture Nordic megalith architecture Burdei Cave Cliff dwelling Dugout Hut Quiggly hole Jacal Longhouse Mudbrick Mehrgarh Pit-house Pueblitos Pueblo Rock shelter Blombos Cave Abri de la Madeleine Sibudu Cave Roundhouse Stilt house Alp pile dwellings Stone roof Wattle and daub Water management Check dam Cistern Flush toilet Reservoir Well Other architecture Archaeological features Broch Burnt mound fulacht fiadh Causewayed enclosure Tor enclosure Circular enclosure Goseck Cursus Henge Thornborough Megalithic architectural elements Midden Oldest extant buildings Timber circle Timber trackway Sweet Track Arts and culture Material goods Baskets Beadwork Beds Chalcolithic Clothing/textiles timeline Cosmetics Glue Hides shoes Ötzi Jewelry amber use Mirrors Pottery Cardium Cord-marked Grooved ware Jōmon Linear Unstan ware Sewing needle Weaving Wine winery wine press Prehistoric art Art of the Upper Paleolithic Art of the Middle Paleolithic Blombos Cave List of Stone Age art Bird stone Cairn Carved stone balls Cave paintings Cup and ring mark Geoglyph Hill figure Golden hats Guardian stones Gwion Gwion rock paintings painting pigment Megalithic art Petroform Petroglyph Petrosomatoglyph Pictogram Rock art Rock cupule Stone carving Sculpture Statue menhir Stone circle list British Isles and Brittany Venus figurine Prehistoric music Evolutionary musicology music archaeology Alligator drum Paleolithic flute Divje Babe flute Gudi Prehistoric religion Evolutionary origin of religion Paleolithic religion Spiritual drug use Burial Burial mounds Bowl barrow Round barrow Mound Builders culture U.S. sites Chamber tomb Cotswold-Severn Cist Dartmoor kistvaens Clava cairn Court cairn Cremation Dolmen Great dolmen Funeral pyre Gallery grave transepted wedge-shaped Grave goods Jar burial Kuyavian long barrows Long barrow unchambered Grønsalen Megalithic tomb Mummy Passage grave Rectangular dolmen Ring cairn Simple dolmen Stone box grave Tor cairn Unchambered long cairn Other cultural Archaeoastronomy sites lunar calendar Behavioral modernity Origin of language Prehistoric counting Prehistoric medicine trepanning Prehistoric warfare Symbols symbolism

Authority control databases National United States Israel Other Yale LUX

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