Stonehenge. The name conjures up mystery, ancient rites, and the sheer scale of human ambition. But beyond the geology and archaeology, a photograph of the site often captures something else: a particular moment in time.
I recently rediscovered this black-and-white image—a 35mm slide taken in July 1977—and it instantly transported me back to a pivotal era for this iconic monument.
The Monumental and the Mundane
What immediately strikes me about this photograph is the contrast. The Neolithic sarsens and bluestones dominate the frame, dark and imposing against the bright sky, emphasizing their enormous presence. It’s a shot that speaks to the sheer mass and mystery of the structure.
But look closer, and you see the details that anchor it firmly in the late 1970s:
Proximity to the Stones: Notice the two figures nestled right between the towering uprights. Today, visitors view the stones from behind a rope barrier, kept at a respectful distance to prevent damage. This photograph is a fantastic reminder of a time when people could walk directly among the stones, touching the cold, ancient surfaces.
A Snapshot of Visitors: The figures—perhaps a family or a couple—are dressed in the casual attire of the era. Their small scale relative to the trilithons highlights the truly monumental nature of the site. They are just a fleeting moment in the thousands of years of history that the stones have witnessed.
The Black-and-White Aesthetic: The photograph’s monochrome nature, typical of many 35mm slides processed into prints, adds a dramatic, almost brooding atmosphere. It accentuates the texture of the stone and strips away the distractions of colour, focusing the viewer purely on form, shadow, and scale.
Stonehenge in 1977: A Changing Landscape
The late 1970s marked a transition for Stonehenge. While it was still relatively accessible, the number of visitors was rapidly increasing, leading to necessary changes in management and conservation that would be implemented over the coming decades.
This image captures the end of an era—a time just before the site became fully roped off, a time when the stones felt a little more personal, a little more accessible, and perhaps a little more susceptible to being touched and experienced up close.
Holding this slide, I'm reminded that Stonehenge isn't just an ancient ruin; it's a living, breathing landmark that constantly changes how we interact with it.
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