Who Smarted? - Episode Summary: "Who Built the Mysterious Stonehenge, and Why?"

Release Date: June 23, 2025

Introduction

In this captivating episode of "Who Smarted?", host Trusty teams up with Dr. Cheryl Middleworth, a seasoned archaeologist, to unravel the mysteries surrounding one of the world's most famous prehistoric monuments: Stonehenge. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the English countryside, their engaging conversation delves deep into the origins, construction, and purpose of Stonehenge, making complex archaeological concepts accessible and entertaining for young listeners.

Encountering Stonehenge

The episode kicks off with Trusty stumbling upon Stonehenge while exploring the English countryside. His initial curiosity sets the stage for an educational adventure:

"It's a large circle of giant rectangular stones standing up on end with other giant stones lying flat on top of them. It certainly doesn't seem random. What do you think it is, smarty pants?" ([00:01])

Dr. Cheryl Middleworth promptly joins the conversation, offering her expertise:

"Dr. Cheryl Middleworth, archaeologist, at your service. I'm just doing a little research on this amazing monument." ([01:08])

Understanding Stonehenge: Structure and Age

Trusty seeks to understand what Stonehenge is and its historical context. Dr. Middleworth provides a foundational explanation:

"A henge is a prehistoric monument made up of a circle of stone or wooden objects in a vertical or upright position." ([04:18])

She emphasizes the monument's antiquity:

"Try 5,000 years old. In fact, they started building Stonehenge about 500 years before the first pyramids in Egypt were built. Whoa. It's literally from the Stone Age." ([04:38])

Who Built Stonehenge?

Addressing the age and builders of Stonehenge, Dr. Middleworth explains that multiple groups contributed to its construction over centuries:

"There were actually several groups of people who worked on Stonehenge over a thousand year period. The first group was known as the Windmill Hill People. Then came the Bell Beaker Culture, and finally the Wessex People. Each group added, removed, or moved around the giant stones." ([05:00])

Trusty's curiosity leads to the common misconception about the Druids:

"I heard that Stonehenge was built by the Druids in ancient times." ([05:37])

"Yes. The idea that the Druids built Stonehenge was a common belief... But the Druids actually lived centuries after Stonehenge was completed. So it's impossible they were behind it." ([06:29])

The Massive Stones of Stonehenge

Dr. Middleworth provides an in-depth look at the construction materials:

"First, we have what we call the outer ring. A big circle of stones standing on end. These stones are called sarsens and are about 13ft tall and 7ft wide. They clock in around 25 tons, which means these babies weigh the same as four elephants each." ([06:43])

She details the structure, including the lintels and trilithons:

"Lying flat across the top of the vertical sarsens all the way around the circle are other sarsen stones called lintels. They're also super heavy, so it took some might to get them up there." ([07:30])

Trusty interjects with humor:

"Did you say trilithon? That sounds like a big number. Or a dinosaur. Right, smarty pants?" ([08:20])

Dr. Middleworth clarifies:

"A trilithon is... two sarsens topped by a lintel. It kind of looks like the symbol for the Greek letter PI." ([08:29])

The Mystery of Stone Transport

One of the most intriguing aspects of Stonehenge is how these massive stones were transported. Dr. Middleworth discusses possible methods:

"The giant sarsen stones came from rock quarries 25 miles away... the blue stones... traced all the way to the Preseli Hills in Wales, which are 200 miles away. How they got all those stones here is a mystery." ([09:48])

Trusty proposes a hands-on experiment:

"That's why you were testing whether you could pull a stone on top of rolling logs." ([10:12])

Dr. Middleworth elaborates on transportation theories:

"They're all possibilities, and probably more likely than the legend that a magic wizard did it." ([10:25])

Legends and Recent Discoveries

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Trusty brings up ancient legends:

"According to an ancient legend, giants brought the Stonehenged stones... a certain king wanted the stones brought to England, so he sent 15,000 soldiers to get them." ([11:05])

While skeptical, Dr. Middleworth mentions recent archaeological findings that hint at possible truths behind the myths:

"Archaeologists recently discovered there was once a big circle of blue stones at a site called Wanmont in Wales. After 400 years, the Circle mysteriously disappeared at exactly the same time Stonehenge first appeared." ([11:56])

Trusty reflects on the blend of legend and reality:

"Just like Merlin, minus the magic." ([12:20])

The Purpose of Stonehenge

Addressing the central question, Trusty asks why Stonehenge was built. Dr. Middleworth admits the mystery but shares prevailing theories:

"There's a lot of things about Stonehenge that we still don't know. However, we do have theories." ([15:37])

She outlines several theories:

1. Astronomical Calendar:

   "Stonehenge may have been a calendar based on the stars... on the longest day of the year, the Summer solstice, the sun rises over the heel stone." ([15:51])

2. Memorial and Spiritual Site:

   "It may have been a memorial used to worship and connect spiritually with distant ancestors... a place of healing because blue stones were once believed to cure illnesses." ([16:52])

3. Ceremonial Burial Ground:

   "The strongest theory is that it was a ceremonial burial ground. We found thousands of bones, and people were buried here over hundreds, if not thousands, of years." ([17:17])

Dr. Middleworth emphasizes that while these theories are compelling, the exact purpose remains elusive.

Conclusion and Continuing Mysteries

The episode wraps up with a discussion on ongoing research and the significance of Stonehenge's surrounding stone circles:

"Stonehenge isn't the only stone circle in town. There are several other smaller ones... that were built in the same time period and are just as mysterious." ([17:54])

Trusty hints at future discoveries:

"One day unlock the mysteries of Stonehenge." ([18:15])

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with acknowledgments to contributors and production credits, ensuring listeners are aware of the collaborative effort behind "Who Smarted?".

Key Takeaways

• Stonehenge's Structure: Comprised primarily of sarsen stones and lintels, some of which weigh as much as four elephants each.

• Historical Builders: Multiple groups over a millennium, including the Windmill Hill People, Bell Beaker Culture, and Wessex People, contributed to its construction.

• Transportation Mysteries: Stones were transported from up to 200 miles away, with theories ranging from rolling logs to coordinated group efforts.

• Purpose Theories: From astronomical calendars to ceremonial burial grounds, Stonehenge's exact purpose continues to intrigue archaeologists.

• Legends vs. Reality: While myths like Merlin's magic persist, recent archaeological findings hint at possible kernels of truth behind these stories.

Notable Quotes

• "Stonehenge is in England. Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. England, to be exact." — Trusty ([00:43])

• "There were originally 80 sarsen stones, but today only 52 are left." — Dr. Cheryl Middleworth ([07:34])

• "How do we even go about trying to learn more?" — Trusty ([17:51])

• "We're talking problem solving, deductive reasoning, the whole nine yards." — Trusty, promoting Snoop and Sniffy ([03:00])

Final Thoughts

This episode of "Who Smarted?" masterfully blends humor with educational content, making complex subjects like archaeology engaging for young minds. Through Trusty and Dr. Cheryl Middleworth's dynamic interaction, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for Stonehenge's historical significance and the enduring mysteries that surround it.