henge

[henj]

noun

Archaeology.

1. a Neolithic monument of the British Isles, consisting of a circular area enclosed by a bank and ditch and often containing additional features including one or more circles of upright stone or wood pillars: probably used for ritual purposes or for marking astronomical events, as solstices and equinoxes.

henge

/ hɛndʒ /

noun

1. a circular area, often containing a circle of stones or sometimes wooden posts, dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages

Word History and Origins

Origin of henge¹

1730–40; back formation from Stonehenge, Middle English Stanenges, Stanheng, equivalent to stan stone + -heng, probably originally “something hanging”; hinge

Word History and Origins

Origin of henge¹

back formation from _Stonehenge

Example Sentences

He added: "A thousand men were working on it for two years, it was built in the same way as Stone Henge."

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Flagstones also has connections to other significant sites, including Llandygái 'Henge' A in Gwynedd, Wales, and artefacts and burial practices implied even locations in Ireland.

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It includes monuments and sites that can be accessed, ranging from the ancient Avebury henge and stone circles in Wiltshire and the Sutton Hoo burial site in Suffolk to the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit in Surrey.

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Wandering through the site, visitors will see incredible artwork, including huge pieces by Mutoid Waste - you might remember their Car Henge display from Glastonbury last year.

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The best-known urban “henge” other than New York’s is Chicagohenge, which happens during the spring and fall equinox.

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