Photos: Stonehenge's day in the sun

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  • Summer solstice

    Summer solstice

    A man stands on top of Stonehenge as the sun rises on June 21, 2006, in Amesbury, England. An estimated 19,000 people celebrated the start of the longest day of the year at the 5,000-year-old stone circle. Reportedly, only four arrests were made at the all-night party.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Stonehenge

    Stonehenge

    Construction around the Neolithic and Bronze Age monument has been dated as far back as 3100 BC--with the stones being erected between 2500 and 2000 BC. There are many stories about who built the monument. One of the most popular theories says that it was built by Druids, Celtic priests who supposedly used it for sacrificial ceremonies. How the mammoth stones were moved by a society with Stone Age technology has confounded experts and led many to believe in extraterrestrial assistance.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Sunset 2005

    Sunset 2005

    The summer solstice at Stonehenge became a pilgrimage for present-day druids and other modern visitors in the 1870s. In 1905, the Ancient Order of Druids first recreated Druidic practices to celebrate the longest day of the year. The celebrations grew until 1985, when 30,000 pilgrims attended a celebration that ended in a violent confrontation with police. This resulted in a ban on summer solstice visitors that lasted until 2000.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Google Earth

    Google Earth

    Could the builders ever have imagined seeing their site from Google Earth? (Well, possibly, if aliens really did pitch in.)

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Carhenge

    Carhenge

    Stonehenge has been replicated numerous times. Here is one of the more famous ones--Carhenge in Alliance, Neb.--where junk cars replace the mammoth stones.

    And here are some instructions to help you build your own Stonehenge.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Stonehenge watch

    Stonehenge watch

    This watch might be the perfect gift for the person who wants to unravel the mysteries of time. Many experts believe that Stonehenge was constructed as a kind of time piece to determine seasonal or celestial events.

    The Stonehenge watch can be purchased from Sharpe Products for $42.95.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Stonefridge

    Stonefridge

    Stonefridge is a Stonehenge replica built from refrigerators in Sante Fe, N.M.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Foamhenge

    Foamhenge

    Next stop is Natural Bridge, Va., where Foamhenge was erected in a day. It's made out of Styrofoam.

    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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On the summer solstice, the ancient stone structure in England is the place to be. And to imitate.

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Summer solstice

A man stands on top of Stonehenge as the sun rises on June 21, 2006, in Amesbury, England. An estimated 19,000 people celebrated the start of the longest day of the year at the 5,000-year-old stone circle. Reportedly, only four arrests were made at the all-night party.

Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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