Stonehenge is known for its joinery technique, which is?

• A. Mortise and tenon
• B. Dovetail
• C. Tongue and groove
• D. Peg and hole

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how ancient stones were joined to create a stable, load-bearing structure. Stonehenge uses mortise and tenon joints to secure the horizontal lintels to the vertical uprights. In this system, a projecting tenon on the end of a lintel fits tightly into a corresponding mortise—or cavity—in the upright stone, and wooden pegs can lock the joint in place. This interlocking connection distributes weight and resists forces that would push the stones apart, which is essential for a massive structure spanning long spans and enduring centuries.

Dovetail joints are designed for drawers and fine cabinetry with angled interlocks, not for large-scale stone load paths. Tongue and groove is used for boards that meet edge-to-edge in walls or floors, not for securing one heavy stone to another. Peg and hole is a simpler method and can work for some uses, but it doesn’t provide the same stable, load-transferring interlock as a mortise and tenon in these monumental lintel arrangements.