Stonehenge was Glastonbury of its day

Stonehenge was not built for astronomy but was constructed by thousands of people who flocked to the area for the ancient equivalent of Glastonbury festival, researchers have said.

Experts said the placement of the enormous stones united people from across Britain who joined together for mass feasts and to celebrate the winter solstice.

The findings come after a decade of research from University College London which included excavations, laboratory work and the analysis of 63 ancient human remains.

Professor Mike Parker Pearson, who led the team, said the findings overturn the belief that Stonehenge was built as an astronomical calendar or observatory.