You’ve most likely heard of the summer solstice, whilst the winter solstice seems to get a little less attention. Interestingly, however, the winter solstice would’ve been of much more significance back when Stonehenge was built.

Our ancestors at the time were hunters. Given the outdoor nature of life during this period, the weather played a huge role in their lives. Food was in much shorter supply over the winter months and the solstice was the last feast celebration before heading into the deep winter. Indeed, thanks to archaeological analysis of animal bones found at the nearby Neolithic settlement of Durrington Walls, it’s believed that this is when our Neolithic ancestors would slaughter and feast on animals born in the spring, so that they wouldn’t need to feed the animals through the winter.

It was also a celebration of rebirth and a time to welcome in the ‘new sun’. Of course, today we’re lucky enough to have much more knowledge about the way the solar system works, so we can be sure that the sun will once again return and the days will get longer. For our ancestors of this time, however, believing that they wouldn’t be left in an eternal winter was an act of faith.

The configuration of the stones themselves suggests the winter solstice’s immense importance. When visiting Stonehenge today, you'll find only one of the stones of the tallest trilithon still standing. Back when it was built, however, the Great Trilithon actually aligned to the central axis. This meant that the winter solstice sun would’ve set directly between the two upright stones when viewed from the centre of the circle. This particular trilithon stood at the head of the inner horseshoe of stones, suggesting the importance the Neolithic people bestowed upon the occasion.