Ananova:

Stonehenge was built as a dance venue for prehistoric raves, according to a university professor.

Dr Rupert Till, also a part-time DJ, carried out experiments which he says show the 5,000-year-old stone circle is ideal for listening to trance music.

Dr Till, an expert in sound technology at Huddersfield University, says the stones have perfect acoustics for repetitive rhythms, reports The Sun.

He tested the effect using a computer model of Stonehenge and during a visit to a concrete replica built in Washington State, US.

And he came to the conclusion that ancient Britons shaped the stones to create special sounds.

He said: "The results were interesting. The stones are all curved and reflect sound perfectly. We reproduced the sound of someone speaking or clapping in Stonehenge 5,000 years ago.

"It is clear that Stonehenge did have a very unusual sound. We managed to get the whole space 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. It felt special."