The given comparison will focus on Stonehenge and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. It is important to note that it is not evident whether or not Stonehenge had a specific or a multitude of functions.
It is stated that “there is strong archaeological evidence that Stonehenge was used as a burial site, at least for part of its long history.” However, it should be noted that “most scholars believe it served other functions as well—either as a ceremonial site, a religious pilgrimage destination, a final resting place for royalty or a memorial erected to honor and perhaps spiritually connect with distant ancestors.” In other words, Stonehenge most likely had a clear commemorative function alongside other potential ones.
Similarly, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial is located in West Potomac Park, Washington, D.C., to commemorate a legendary individual and civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr., who changed the United States’ politics, culture, and values toward equality and justice. Therefore, both of these monuments are similar regarding their purpose and meaning because they are built to commemorate people of great importance and significance.
In the case of Stonehenge, the first specific similarity with the selected memorial is manifested in the fact that both are created by placing physically large and solid rocky objects to convey the central figures’ importance and immortality. It is important to note that Martin Luther King, Jr. will live on through people and the nation’s memory because he fought for freedom and justice for African Americans. Stonehenge is a burial site of great significance, and it was built for ancestors of the distant past, who also played a major role in improving and advancing the lives of their descendants. Although Martin Luther King, Jr. might not be a direct ancestor of African Americans, he is an embedment of father figure and liberator of the given community.
The second major similarity can be found in the fact that both the memorial and the Stonehenge are located and positioned in an open area and under an open sky. Their physical grandiose scale and solidity, alongside their positioning, manifest their meaning in the sense of freedom and honor. In other words, these monuments cannot be restrained or constrained, which is indicative of their symbolism of freedom and connectedness to the heavens.