BY CHARESSE JAMES

Researchers are one step closer to understanding one of the greatest wonders, and mysteries,

in the world. A new theory suggests Stonehenge was created as a huge graveyard for the elite.

Until now it had been thought that Stonehenge was built as an astronomical calendar or observatory;

but after a decade of research, there is reason to believe the world's most famous prehistoric

monument may have begun life as a giant burial ground. (Via National Geographic)

According to The Guardian, more than 50,000 cremated bone fragments, of 63 individuals

buried at Stonehenge, have been excavated and studied at the site. And archeologists

believe the earliest burials long predate the monument in its current form.

Academics also suggested that Stonehenge was built about 200 years earlier than previously

thought, some 4,500 years ago. They also believe that ancient people traveled hundreds of miles

to build Stonehenge and used the burial ground to celebrate the winter solstice.

“Experts suggested the gatherings were something like ‘Glastonbury festival and a motorway

building scheme at the same time,’ as people spent periods each year constructing the site

and celebrating massive communal feasts.” (Via Scotsman)

More of the new findings will be broadcast in a documentary on the U.K.’s Channel 4

Sunday.