You can’t talk about Stonehenge without bumping into a good old-fashioned alien conspiracy theory. One of the most prominent can be traced back to a book published in 1968 by Erich von Däniken, called Char

iots of the Gods? U

nsolved Mysteries of the Past. The book suggests that ancient religions and technologies were given to ancient civilizations by ancient alien astronauts, who were received as gods.

Von Däniken claims that Stonehenge was built by this visiting aliens, or at least that they provided the necessary knowledge

and technologies to build it. Not

wanting to imply that these visitors were

underachievers, he also gives them credit for the Pyramids, and the Easter Island Moai, among other things.

Sightings of UFOs have continued to crop up in newspapers, magazines, and online, and one not com/  able incident even saw researchers stalked by a “tall, thin figure”. An alien popping back to check on his proud work, perhaps?

Aliens too outlandish? How about a legendary sorcerer?

This theory was first put about in the 12th century by Geoffrey of Monmouth, a British Cleric and Historiographer, generally held responsible for the popularity of the Arthurian myths.

According to Geoffrey, a giant had brought the stones from Africa to Ireland, for their healing properties. B

t when King Aurelius wanted to erect a Battle Monument, Merlin suggested he should use the stones. How do you get such huge,

heavy stones from Ireland t

alisbur

Plain? Ye Olde Amazon Prime, a.k.a. Merlin’s magic.

Admittedly, the sto

nes that m

ake up Stonehenge have been identified as two types, both coming from relatively far ay. What more plausible expl

anation than giants and magic?wa