The famous British megalith Stonehenge was not only places of worship, where in the winter solstice held sacred ceremony, but also played the role of true art gallery. Using 3D laser technology has enabled researchers to identify 72 previously unknown prehistoric images that were carved on the surface of the stones.

71 figure carved axes and one - dagger of the bronze age. After examining the surface of 83 stone blocks and collecting a total of about 850 GB of information, historians have received evidence that we are dealing with the largest collection of rock art in the South of the UK.

Detailed analysis conducted by experts on behalf of the organization of English Heritage - English heritage"revealed the images carved on the top layer lines depth of 1-3 mm. Now drawings of prehistoric rock art can be seen only with the help of special instruments, and in the bronze age, the images were clearly visible to the naked eye. For the first time 46 images (axes and daggers) were discovered in the 1950-ies - then even with a magnifying glass.

The main part of the megalithic monument was erected in the middle of the third Millennium BC and served as a temple where they worshipped the Sun. This is evidenced by the orientation of massive boulders of Stonehenge in accordance with the regulations lights in the days of the winter and summer solstice. However, scientists still do not understand all too well how varied functions of Stonehenge for centuries.

In the period between 1800 and 1500 years BC near Stonehenge appear monumental tombs and pits used for ritual purposes - so far, however, it is unclear what specific. Carved in stone axes and daggers is precisely this time. Most likely, this was connected with the change of the religious functions of Stonehenge.

In Indo-European tradition axes are often associated with the divine storm, and some vestiges of the European folklore show that the axes laid blade up, was used as a magical talismans to protect crops, people and their property from lightning and storms. So, and all axes on the drawings in the Stonehenge depicted blade up and daggers - point downward. The image may was intended to calm the God of storms and protect the crops.

Draws attention to the fact that the vast majority of the images is on the sides of the rocks, which are addressed either to the graves (which, as noted above, to the same time), or to the center of Stonehenge. Rare evidence from other places in Britain say that the drawings axes and daggers, may be related to the burial ceremonies.

Because many pictures of the same size, it suggests that when they are created enjoyed these axes as stencils. If so, the largest image was created using the axe with a length of about 46 centimeters. This axe is much bigger than all axes that had ever find archaeologists. Most likely, such a great instance was intended for ritual purposes, the edition of the Independent.

The study by means of laser scanning revealed how carefully processed stone surface prehistoric temples. The examination showed that the ritual procession went to Stonehenge, mainly, with its North-Eastern side. This conclusion coincides with the previously expressed by the observations of archeologists about the choice of this direction, caused by the celebration of the days of the winter and summer solstice.

In the process detailed study also revealed that one of the stones were later destroyed the South-Western part was carefully treated. Its shape is that members of a religious ceremony could see the setting Sun at the winter solstice. As a result, the hypothesis that the construction of Stonehenge was not completed, it should be recognized insolvent. Seems more likely supposition that there were attempts to destroy it.

And finally, the last opening aroused among researchers confusion. Prehistoric masons have used two different techniques of stone processing. The stones of the great circle of the monument (both posts and lintels) were processed in parallel to their length, while five trilithons (from the Greek "three stone" - horseshoe-shaped two standing stone lintel above) within the big circle processed at right angles to their sides. It is suggested that the trilithon were installed earlier megaliths of the great circle.