THE county of Wiltshire has some of the most impressive Neolithic stone formations in the world within its boundaries.

Stonehenge and the lesser known Avebury are the most well known, whilst other well-preserved structures include West Kennet Long Barrow, Wayland Smithy and Woodhenge. The development of farming skills and the use of stone as tools, enabled long-term settlements to be established, resulting in these impressive formations.

The purpose of these structures eludes scientists and mystics alike. However, modern carbon dating technology has enabled archaeologists to assess when the megaliths were built and to show that they are interconnected. Both Avebury and Stonehenge have avenues leading into their circles, suggesting a ceremonial purpose.

Stonehenge is famous the world over - its silhouette is instantly recognisable, and it has become a landmark for which England is famed. Feted as one of the most complete prehistoric complexes in Europe, the stones of Avebury stand at the centre of our Neolithic past.

Amidst a series of exceptional monuments that include Silbury Hill, Windmill Hill, the Sanctuary and West Kennet Long Barrow, Avebury is in many ways more enigmatic than Stonehenge, as its purpose within this settlement is unclear.

West Kennet Long Barrow is one of the largest and most impressive Neolithic graves in Britain. The site was used for more than 1000 years and excavations have discovered the human remains of up to 46 people inside the barrow, with the bones sorted into different groups. The county of Wiltshire contains over half of Britain's 260 long barrows. A smaller version of West Kennet Long Barrow, Wayland Smithy is a short hike from Uffington White Horse along the Ridgeway.

Although not made of stone, Woodhenge is thought to pre-date even the mighty Stonehenge. Uncovered in 1999, British archaeologists found evidence of what they believe to be a huge wooden structure near Avebury's Sanctuary.

Some archaeologists have noted that due to the close proximity of many stone monuments to each other, they may have symbolised territorial possession, while the ancestral bones in barrows may have signified claims to the land.

Wiltshire's stone formations have a long history and, like more modern buildings affected by war, they have undergone their own metamorphosis throughout the years, while remaining static as a reminder of a past long gone.

Read our pages on Stonehenge, Avebury, West Kennet Long Barrow, Wayland Smithy and Woodhenge. View our Gallery, read our Archive.

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