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The Structure of Stonehenge

The basic structures of Stonehenge are faithfully reproduced on your Stonehenge Watch (obviously on a much smaller scale).
Divided into four different groups of stones (that were built at different times beginning in 3100 B.C.E.). They are:

1. The Sarsen Circle
   The outer ring of 30 stones is called "The Sarsen Circle." Each stone is believed to represent one day of the lunar month. Since a lunar month is 29 1/2 days, the real Sarsen Circle has 29 1/2 Stones. The location of the half stone is indicated on the watch face by the designation "1/2."
   Today, astronomers have determined that a lunar month is actually 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds. This period of time is called a Lunation and explains why the phases of the moon always fall on different days.
   This circle is called the Sarsen Circle because the stone that these uprights are composed is a type of natural sandstone called Sarsen.
2. The Bluestone Circle
   Inside the Sarsen Circle are 59 bluestones representing the number of days in two lunations. These bluestones are much smaller than the stones which make-up the Sarsen Circle, although they can still weigh up to 4 tons apiece! The bluestones are a type of igneous rock, called dolerite, that is found 240 miles away in the Prescelly Mountains in Southwestern Wales. This type of dolerite appears blue when wet, and hence the nickname "bluestones."
3. The Trilithons
   Ten Sarsen Stones make up the spectacular Trilithons in the shape of an immense horseshoe. These stones measure up to 20 feet tall and weigh nearly 50 tons each. The term Trilithon comes from the Greek meaning "Three Stones." Originally, these 10 stones were set in pairs and topped by a shaped stone called a lintel. The stones of the Sarsen Circle were also capped with lintels.
4. The Bluestone Horseshoe
   Inside the Trilithon horseshoe is the smaller horseshoe of 19 bluestones. Some scientists claim that the 19 bluestones correspond to the number of years in the Metonic, or lunar, cycle. This cycle, which amounts to 223 lunations, is useful for predicting eclipses as the builders of Stonehenge did thousands of years ago.
   Apart from these stone structures, which stand in groups, there are also two key single stones at Stonehenge that have considerable importance.
5. The Altar Stone
   The large stone inside the Bluestone horseshoe is the Altar Stone. The Altar Stone is over 16 feet in length and almost 4 feet wide and, unlike the other upright stones at the monument, lies on the ground. While it cannot be said for sure what the true purpose of this stone was, it is generally assumed to have been used for religious and ritual purposes.
6. The Heel Stone
   Finally, there is the much renowned Heel Stone. On the first day of summer, the Sun can be seen to rise over the Heel Stone when observed from the center of the monument! The fact that this has been happening for 5,000 years is astounding proof of the ingenuity of early humans as preserved in this creation! This 16 foot Sarsen stone is located 150 feet outside the monstrous Sarsen Circle. On the face of the Stonehenge Watch the Heel Stone is located at the top of the dial (in the 12 o'clock position).

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