January 5, 2009 11:43

Ancient raves held at Stonehenge

Stones were the perfect place for a party say experts

Stonehenge was a site for ancient raves where 'trance-style' music was played, academics are claiming.

Researchers at Huddersfield University believe the way the stones are shaped made Stonehenge the perfect place to listen to music 5,000 years ago because it would bounce off the rocks, The Daily Mail reports.

Dr Rupert Till is an expert in music and sound technology, and claims that when all the stones were standing they would have produced a "very pleasant, almost concert-like acoustic".

He told the paper: "Our research shows that there are particular spots in the site that produce unusual particular acoustic effects, intimating that perhaps a priest or a shaman may have stood there, leading the ritual."