Stonehenge's archaeological work offers significant insights into Neolithic construction techniques, social organization, and cultural practices, providing a deeper understanding of human development without written records.
The archaeological contributions of the work at Stonehenge revolve primarily around understanding the techniques and methods used by Neolithic societies in the construction of such colossal structures. The excavation and study of megalithic architecture like Stonehenge have led archaeologists to uncover stone tools and debris indicative of manual shaping of rocks, evidence of mortise and tenon joints used to secure the capstones, and have proposed theories regarding the transportation and erection of these massive stones which weigh up to 50 tons. Additionally, important reevaluations have occurred concerning the development of settled communities and their architectural capabilities predating agricultural practices, as seen in the implications derived from sites like Göbekli Tepe.
The work at Stonehenge has thus extended our comprehension of Neolithic society's social organization, technology, and cultural practices. Investigations into the construction methods, such as the alignment of stones with solar solstices, and the possible functions of the site, whether religious, communal or otherwise, continue to be valuable in the broader field of archaeological research. Through meticulous fieldwork and research, contributions to archaeology from studies like these at Stonehenge have been instrumental in piecing together narratives of human societies without written records.