Druids / Stonehenge

The Druids were members of a priestly and cultured class in the pre-Christian, ancient Celtic societies. “These societies existed through much of Western Europe, Britain and Ireland, until they were supplanted by the Roman government and, later, the arrival of Christianity. Druids were part of the cultures of the tribal peoples who were called the Celtics. In the communities they served, druids combined the duties of priest, arbitrator, healer, scholar, and magistrate. Both men and women served as druids.” (Christopher M. Nixon)

The druids, like the Celtic communities they served, were polytheists, and worshipped a number of goddesses and gods. “They also show signs of animism, in their reverence for various aspects of the natural world, such as the land, sea and sky, and their veneration of other aspects of nature, such as sacred trees and groves (the oak and hazel were particularly revered), tops of hills, streams, lakes and plants such as the mistletoe.” (Liam,) Fire was regarded as a symbol of several divinities and was associated with cleansing. Greek and Roman writers on the Celts commonly made at least passing reference to druids, though they were considered merely as "barbarian philosophers”. Ritual killing and human sacrifice were aspects of druidic culture that shocked classical writers

“The Arch-Druid was the wisest or eldest ranking Druid in a particular Grove or group. The Druids were equivalent to the clergy class. The Bardswere the equivalent of an artist or trade class, and new initiates or followers assisted with the menial or mundane duties of the order.” (Christopher M. Nixon) The garments and robes they wore reflected their status: Gold, White, Red, Blue, and Brown/Black respectively.

While historical evidence to support their claims does not exist some people claim that the druids' influence was as much social as religious. In addition they claim that they not only performed roles similar to modern priests, but were also the philosophers, scientists, lore-masters, teachers, judges and counsellors to the kings. Another claim is that the druids linked the Celtic peoples with their numerous gods, the secular and ritual calendar, and the natural order. Some people claim that they were suppressed in Gaul and Britain after the Roman conquests, but retained their influence in Ireland until the coming of Christianity.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about eight miles north of Salisbury. One of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones. Archaeologists believe that the standing stones were erected around 2200 BC and the surrounding circular earth bank and ditch, which constitute the earliest phase of the monument, have been dated to about 3100 BC

One of the most popular beliefs was that Stonehenge was built by the Druids. Unfortunately researchers have proven this age-old theory linking Stonehenge's construction to the Druids impossible. Through modern radio carbon dating techniques, scientists have discovered that its builders completed Stonehenge over a thousand years before the Celts ever inhabited this region, eliminating Druids from the possibilities.