London (PTI): Stonehenge, one of the most famous pre-historic sites in Britain, has long baffled archaeologists who have argued for decades over its 5,000-year history. Now a researcher has claimed that it was a venue for ancient raves.

In fact, according to professor Rupert Till of Huddersfield University, Stonehenge was actually created as a "dance arena" for listening to "trance-style" music, and the standing stones had the ideal acoustics to amplify a repetitive trance rhythm.

"We were able to get some interesting results when we visited the replica by using computer-based acoustic analysis software, a 3D soundfield microphone, a dodecahedronic speaker and a huge bass speaker from a PA company.

"By comparing results from paper calculations, computer simulations based on digital models, and results from concrete Stonehenge copy, we were able to come up with some of these theories about the uses of Stonehenge.

"We have also been able to reproduce the sound of someone speaking or clapping in Stonehenge 5,000 years ago. The most interesting thing is that we managed to get the whole space (at Maryhill) to resonate, almost like a wine glass will ring if you run a finger round it.

"While that was happening a simple drum beat sounded incredibly dramatic. The space had real character; it felt we had gone somewhere special," professor Till was quoted by The Daily Telegraph as saying.

Stonehenge, located in the county of Wiltshire, is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones and sits at the centre of the densest complex of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments in England, including several hundred burial mounds.