For centuries, Muggles have wondered what the purpose was of our ancient magical site of Stonehenge, which is located on the Salisbury Plain of England. Its origins and meanings have been attributed to the Celts, the Druids, and to Merlin and King Arthur. (The word "henge" denotes a cleared enclosure, surrounded by circles of ditches and earthen banks, used for religious or magical purposes. Sometimes these inner areas also were surrounded by wooden posts or stones.) The Stonehenge stones' origins have been traced to locations in Wales, and possibly Ireland, as well as more local quarries. For many years, one Muggle theory has been that it was a site based upon and used for magical rites during certain alignments of the planets and stars — especially on Solstices and Equinoxes. Another theory is that Stonehenge is a royal burial ground.^[1]

Now, however, a team of Muggles — led by Timothy Darvill and Geoffrey Wainwright — posit a new theory: Stonehenge was a place of Healing.^[2] From limited excavations, blessed before and after by practicing Druids, the scientists offer the explanation that the "bluestones" of the inner circle of Stonehenge were believed to have magical healing powers. They were brought to the Salisbury site from the Preseli Mountains on the western coast of Wales: 140 miles away, but a 250 mile trip. The bluestones could be as large as ten feet and weigh four tons — not a small feat, without the use of magic, to pull each of them by cart and float them on a raft!

Supporting their claim, the men cite the earlier finding of two skeletons — the remains of two related men, one older than the other. The elder man had severe medical problems and is known as the "Amesbury Archer" — coming from the Alps. The scientists theorize that the younger man was a relative helping the "Archer" to travel to Stonehenge to seek healing. They would like further studies to be done to substantiate their theory.