Stonehenge was built possibly by the Minoans. It presents one of man's first attempts to order his view of the outside world.

In this quote, Stephen Gardiner reflects on the mystery of Stonehenge and its possible connection to the Minoans, an ancient civilization. The idea that Stonehenge could have been built by the Minoans suggests an intriguing theory about the spread of knowledge and cultural influence across ancient societies. While mainstream archaeological views often attribute the monument to the people of prehistoric Britain, Gardiner’s suggestion opens up the possibility of broader ancient interactions.

The quote also speaks to the deeper purpose of Stonehenge as more than just a structure. Gardiner notes that it represents one of humanity's earliest attempts to organize and order the world around them. This could involve measuring celestial bodies, tracking astronomical events, or structuring time itself. In this way, Stonehenge may have served as an early form of scientific exploration, a means to align human experience with the larger forces of nature.

The Minoans, known for their advanced culture on the island of Crete, were skilled in art, architecture, and trade. The connection made by Gardiner between them and Stonehenge implies that the Minoans could have influenced or even been responsible for such monumental constructions far beyond their Mediterranean homeland. The theory, though speculative, highlights the global exchanges that might have occurred even in the distant past.

Gardiner’s observation also points to the universal human desire to understand and control the environment. By building structures like Stonehenge, early societies began to create physical representations of their cosmological beliefs and their relationship with the natural world. These efforts laid the foundation for much of modern science and philosophy, as humans sought to make sense of their place in the universe.