The Heel Stone, a single large block of sarsen stone, stands with quiet majesty within the Avenue outside the entrance of the Stonehenge earthwork in Wiltshire, England. Its base thickness is 2.4 meters, reaching a tapered top approximately 4.7 meters high. A further 1.2 meters is buried in the ground, leaving the stone’s overall girth at 7.6 meters. It weighs an impressive 35 tons. Though it leans towards the southwest nearly 27 degrees from the vertical, the Heel Stone remains a testament to the advanced stone-age techniques of its creators.
Excavations have revealed that the Heel Stone is located 77.4 meters from the center of Stonehenge circle. It is surrounded by the Heelstone Ditch, adding to its mystery and allure. The Heel Stone’s history dates back to 3100 BC, making it a prime example of ancient relics. The stone’s placement within the Avenue and its proximity to Stonehenge suggest a significant role in the broader earthwork.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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