Stones of the SOLSTICE

Jamie Carter explores 12 ancient stones, tombs and temples across the world that align with the Sun at the solstice

- Jamie Carter

On Thursday 20 June, at 21:51 BST, the summer solstice will occur in the Northern Hemisphere. Solstices (meaning 'the Sun standing still') mark the two longest days of the year - 20 or 21 June in the Northern Hemisphere, 21 or 22 December in the Southern Hemisphere - when the Sun is furthest north or south of the equator and highest in the sky at midday. Celebrated by cultures on either side of the equator for thousands of years, a summer solstice is when that hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, a by-product of Earth's rotational axis being tilted by 23.4°. As well as being an important marker of Earth's journey around the Sun, the summer solstice has real-world consequences, marking a period of the most sunlight in a day and, therefore, heat: astronomical summer.

Here are 12 fascinating ancient places in both hemispheres that align with the solstice, each with a unique story and cultural significance. World-famous or less well-known, all offer a glimpse into the rich history of humanity's relationship with the Sun and the sky.

1. Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England