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What was once thought of as a single archaeological site with a few stone rings has now been revealed as an expansive prehistoric complex spanning at least several square miles. Thanks to the recent advancements in radar technology, which were crucial in uncovering these ruins, we can expect many more discoveries about Stonehenge in the coming months and years. This compilation highlights some of the key findings by British scientists to date.
10. Stonehenge Is Not The Central Monument
The Stonehenge Hidden Landscape Project consists of a team of British archaeologists focused on mapping the Stonehenge region. In 2015, they revealed the discovery of a vast complex of monuments, all located within a few miles of the world-renowned Stonehenge site. Among these structures was a large timber building, believed to have been used for rituals related to preparing the deceased for burial, including defleshing operations.
Utilizing advanced imaging techniques, the researchers have uncovered prehistoric pits, some of which are aligned with the Sun's path. So far, the project has provided invaluable insights into Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman settlements that once thrived in the area, establishing it as one of the largest Bronze Age archaeological sites worldwide.
9. The Amesbury Archer
A gold earring was discovered in a grave, potentially the oldest known handmade gold artifact found in Britain. Such gold items are incredibly rare, often appearing in pairs.
This burial site is among the wealthiest early Bronze Age graves ever uncovered in Britain. The individual, believed to be the Amesbury Archer, might even have been the ruler of Stonehenge. Alongside him were discovered a black wristband used for archery, tools, and a beautifully crafted copper knife. Behind the burial, a boar tusk, a collection of flint tools, and a Beaker pot were found, the latter being a typical Bronze Age vessel.
The Aubrey Holes, a notable archaeological feature, continue to fascinate researchers.
The Aubrey Holes, a series of 56 pits at Stonehenge, were uncovered in 1920 and named after John Aubrey, a 17th-century antiquarian. Excavations took place between 1920 and 1924, with two additional pits being explored in 1950.
The Aubrey Holes primarily contained prehistoric remnants, including traces of cremated bone and ash. A total of 60 cremated remains were found, representing around 50 individuals. The majority of this skeletal evidence was uncovered in Aubrey Hole Number Seven, though it's suggested that up to 240 people might have been buried at Stonehenge, potentially making it the largest Early Bronze Age burial site in the British Isles.
7. The Sciences Behind Stonehenge
Reverend Edward Duke was the first to link astronomy with Stonehenge, describing the structure as 'a planetarium full of significant astronomical alignments.' While his ideas had a mystical tone, they weren't fully grounded in scientific reasoning.
Recognizing that during the summer solstice in the second and third millennium BC, the Sun rose directly along the main axis of Stonehenge, Sir Norman Lockyer became the first to propose the alignment's astronomical purpose. In his book Stonehenge Decoded, Gerald Hawkins described discovering 165 measurable points that align with the Sun and Moon, excluding stars and planets visible to the naked eye, such as Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Mercury. He also demonstrated how lunar eclipses could be precisely predicted by shifting stones around the Aubrey Holes.
6. Transporting the Monoliths
In 1921, geologist Herbert Thomas presented his findings to the Society of Antiquaries in London, proposing a theory about how ancient people moved the Stonehenge monoliths. According to Thomas, brave Neolithic travelers first quarried massive bluestones from the towering, jagged cliffs in western Wales, then transported them across nearly 400 kilometers (250 miles) of challenging prehistoric terrain to Stonehenge.
There have been numerous attempts to replicate the transportation of similar, though smaller, megalithic stones using wooden sleds or rollers. However, these techniques have proven to be highly challenging, even when applied to smaller stones.
5. Theories About Stonehenge's Purpose
Long ago, without the wheel or metal tools, an ancient civilization constructed a monumental masterpiece of stone in what is now Wiltshire, England. These people erected massive sandstone monoliths arranged in a complex circular pattern, a feat that has mystified scientists ever since its discovery.
Medieval legend claims that the legendary wizard Merlin summoned the site in the 12th century, while modern rumors suggest that UFOs frequent the location. Yet, several scientifically grounded theories exist, ranging from Stonehenge being a burial ground to a site for healing, a sound stage, or an astronomical observatory and celestial calendar. Some even speculate it was a morale-boosting endeavor for an entire civilization.
4. Who Were The Creators of Stonehenge?
One theory suggests that Stonehenge was constructed for ceremonial purposes by the Celtic high priests, known as the Druids. John Aubrey, the scientist after whom the Aubrey Holes are named, was among the first to propose that the Druids were the creators, a belief later shared by Doctor William Stukely. Stukely was so certain of this connection that he even went as far as to adopt the title of Druid himself.
Modern carbon dating methods have debunked this theory, revealing that the monument actually predates the Druids' arrival in Britain by more than 1,000 years. While excavations confirm that the Druids utilized the site for various purposes, they could not have built it, likely encountering Stonehenge as an ancient structure just as we do today.
3. The Superhenge
The Stonehenge Hidden Landscape Project in Britain has uncovered a portion of the largest Neolithic ritual monument ever found in the British Isles. This vast semi-circle, constructed with massive stones, is believed to be 4,500 years old. The megaliths were identified at Durrington Walls, with some monoliths reaching lengths of up to 5 meters (15 feet). These stones are buried deep beneath the fertile soil. Researchers have described this monument as remarkably unique and of ‘extraordinary scale.’
2. Cursus
The Great Cursus, an extensive ditch thought to have been constructed between 3100 and 2800 BC, lies less than 300 meters (1,000 feet) from Stonehenge. This massive feature runs east to west and is carved into the firm chalk terrain.
The true purpose of this enormous structure remains a mystery. Some speculate that it could have served as a type of racetrack, while others believe it may have functioned as a ceremonial path, possibly used to honor the dead.
1. Woodhenge
Woodhenge, a Neolithic site constructed around 2300 BC, was initially believed to be a large burial mound. The site is completely enclosed by a ditch and a bank, which were nearly destroyed by farming activities. Aerial photography helped identify Woodhenge by revealing dark spots in the wheat crop. Subsequent excavations confirmed these dark patches marked the locations where timbers were positioned upright in pits, forming several rings. The outermost ring featured timbers set much deeper than those in the inner rings, suggesting that they were used to support roofing beams.
It has been proposed that the central area was open to the sky, allowing natural light to pour into the structure, similar to the medieval courtyards that appeared later. A burial was uncovered at the heart of the site, holding the remains of a young child, approximately three years old, believed to have been a sacrificial offering due to the child’s skull being cleaved by an axe. Woodhenge is located just 70 meters (230 feet) from Durrington Walls and under 3 kilometers (2 miles) away from Stonehenge.
