40 Recent Excavations at Stonehenge. 
legend nor the supposition is true, and that both the “ bluestone” 
monoliths and the sarsen blocks are contemporaneous we have 
ample proofs, as has already been shown in the mode of occurrence 
of their chippings and of the stones themselves. 
Still further evidence in this direction, if such is needed, is 
afforded by the manner in which the sarsens were set up. That 
the stones of the central trilithon were erected from the inside of 
the circle has been conclusively demonstrated by the excavations, 
hence the “bluestones” in front cannot have been erected before 
them. Moreover the “ bluestone,’ No. 68, the base of which was 
laid bare in Excavation V., was found to be set in the rubble which 
had been used to fill up the foundation of No. 56, and further, in a 
lower layer than its base, there were two small blocks of sarsen 
with tooled surfaces. 
Whether the outer sarsens were set up from the inside of the 
circle like the trilithons, or from the outside, is a point which can 
only be settled by future excavations. If from the inside their 
erection must have preceded that of the trilithons and hence of 
the “ bluestones.” 
On the other hand, should the outer sarsens have been raised 
from the outside, it would not be possible for the “ bluestones ” to 
have been placed in position before them, as they would then have 
seriously interfered with if not altogether prevented the erecting 
operations. 
The venerable traditions which tell of the earlier date and more 
sacred character of the “bluestones” are hence shown to have 
no foundation in fact, they are merely the creations of poetical 
imagination. No long interval of time separated the erection of 
the sarsen and the “bluestone” monoliths, although the work must 
have occupied a considerable period. The monument as a whole 
is of one date. Its parts do not belong to different ages. 
AGE OF STONEHENGE. 
As regards the age of Stonehenge we have now to consider how 
far the objects found in the excavations throw light on that im- 
portant and much disputed subject. 
