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Why are the Druids Associated with Stonehenge Today?

Maybe this is so because the Roman historian, Tacitus, wrote about the Druids performing rituals at Stonehenge. But it is a matter of historical fact that the Celts (who were ancestors to the Druids) did not arrive in Britain until almost 1,000 years after the stones had been erected.

Another ancient Roman writer, Pliny the Elder, believed the Druids to be wise men who possessed special knowledge and powers. The Druids wrote nothing down and passed down this sacred knowledge by the Oral Tradition where knowledge was committed to memory.

In his attempt to consolidate the British Isles under Roman control, Emperor Claudius declared the practices of the Druids illegal in 54 A.D. When the Druids refused to bow to the demands of the Emperor, they were massacred at Anglesey in 61 A.D. Since nothing was written down, it was here on this small island off Britain that Druid culture, knowledge and history were virtually destroyed.

Since there were no written records for historians to study, you can see why much about Stonehenge and the Druids has been left open to wild speculation.
During the Neoclassic revival in the 17th Century, it became popular for writers to attribute Stonehenge to the Druids even though scholars and archeologists found no evidence to substantiate this claim. A group was even formed that named itself The Ancient Order of The Druids which claimed to have roots with the original Druids. In time, this group became so popular that it included many notable figures, such as Winston Churchill, in its membership.

Whether there is historical connection or not, modern day Druids have adopted Stonehenge as their home. On the Summer Solstice, the first day of summer when the sun rises over the Heel Stone at Stonehenge, thousands of modern day new age Druids come to the monument to practice their ancient rituals (without human sacrifice, of course!)

The Stonehenge monument is an awe-inspiring, mysterious and timeless wonder that is visited by millions of people each year. Now, with the Stonehenge Watch (, you can literally hold this historic treasure in the palm of your hand.

With the benefit of modern technology, the creators of the Stonehenge Watch took a "Great Leap Backward in Time" and discovered that Stonehenge, in addition to its many other uses, is both the oldest and newest manmade timekeeper.

About the Watch