New tests show neolithic pits near Stonehenge were human-made

...a series of deep pits were discovered near the world heritage site of Stonehenge last year... Now scientific tests have proved that those gaping pits, each aligned to form a circle spanning 1.2 miles (2km) in diameter, were definitely human-made, dug into the sacred landscape almost 4,500 years ago.

The structure appears to have been a boundary guiding people to a sacred area, because Durrington Walls, one of Britain’s largest henge monuments, is located precisely at its centre. The site is 1.9 miles north-east of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, near Amesbury in Wiltshire...

While part of the circle has not survived, owing to modern development, Gaffney said the latest fieldwork involved scientific analysis of nine of the pits. “We’ve now looked at nearly half of them and they’re all the same. So effectively this really does say this is one enormous structure. It may have evolved from a natural feature, but we haven’t located that. So it’s the largest prehistoric structure found in Britain.”

Each pit is about 10 metres across and 5 metres deep, and science supports the theory that the neolithic people who constructed Stonehenge also dug this monument.

The previously unknown subterranean ring is 20 times bigger than Stonehenge. It adds to the evidence that early inhabitants of Britain, mainly farming communities, had developed a way to count, tracking hundreds of paces to measure out the pits...

The cutting-edge technology includes optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), which can date the last time that sediment was exposed to daylight.

The tests were conducted by Dr Tim Kinnaird, of the school of earth and environmental sciences at the University of St Andrews, who said: “These proved beyond doubt that the pits date to around 2400BC.”

Stonehenge Plaques Hold Secret Cultural Data, Says New Study [11/05/2021]
Stonehenge under the hammer: stones sold 100 years ago for £6,600 [09/21/2021]
Stonehenge - the rock venue! Architect's concept that the famous stones were simply the base for a vast Neolithic temple is brought to life by mesmerising models [07/02/2021]
Summer solstice: Hundreds attend Stonehenge despite advice [06/23/2021]
Prophecy Watchers: Stonehenge links [02/20/2021]
The original Stonehenge? A dismantled stone circle in the Preseli Hills of west Wales [02/12/2021]
Ancient graves and mysterious enclosure discovered at Stonehenge ahead of tunnel construction [02/11/2021]
Humans now being legally composted in Washington [01/18/2021]
Why was Stonehenge built? [01/09/2021]
Drought Reveals 'Spanish Stonehenge' Older Than the Pyramids [12/23/2020]
9,000-Year-Old Stonehenge-Like Structure Found Under Lake Michigan [12/19/2020]
About 30 previously unknown stones discovered at Carahunge (the Armenian Stonehenge) [08/11/2020]
HS2 uncovers Iron Age murder victim and timber Stonehenge-style formation during excavations near Wendover [07/15/2020]
Comet NEOWISE over Stonehenge (Astronomy Picture of the Day) [07/14/2020]
Archaeologists Suggest Stonehenge's Huge Blocks Arrived by Land, Debunk Raft Theory [07/07/2020]
Vast neolithic circle of deep shafts found near Stonehenge [06/23/2020]
Scientists find huge ring of ancient shafts near Stonehenge [06/22/2020]
Stonehenge will livestream its summer solstice celebration for the first time ever [05/17/2020]
Spanish Stonehenge revealed: 5,000-year-old megalithic temple [08/23/2019]
Stonehenge's Massive Megaliths May Have Been Moved into Place with Pig Lard [07/21/2019]
Thanks to pig remains, scientists uncover extensive human mobility to sites near Stonehenge [03/17/2019]
Quarrying of Stonehenge 'bluestones' dated to 3000 BC [02/25/2019]
The spread of Europe's giant stone monuments may trace back to one region [02/14/2019]
Ancestors of Stonehenge people could be buried inside uncovered 'house of the dead' [09/03/2018]
Stonehenge: First residents from west Wales [08/03/2018]
Famed British Geologist Was Spectacularly Wrong About Stonehenge [07/12/2018]
Drought in Ireland Leads to Discovery of Neolithic Henge [07/12/2018]
Stonehenge builders used Pythagoras' theorem 2,000 years before Greek philosopher was born, experts [06/20/2018]
Archaeologists may have found architects' camp for Stonehenge [02/16/2018]
The images of Stonehenge they DON'T want you to see [09/18/2017]
Michigan Man May Have Solved The Mystery Of Stonehenge And The Pyramids [09/06/2017]
Did Dutch Hordes Kill Off The Early Britons Who Started Stonehenge? [05/25/2017]
Huge, Mysterious Settlement Discovered Near Stonehenge [11/22/2016]
Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Sunrise Solstice over Stonehenge [06/20/2016]
Stonehenge May Not Have Been So Difficult To Build After All, Archaeologists Have Found [05/31/2016]
Archaeologists uncover monumental prehistoric structure on island of Menorca [04/02/2016]
Bronze Age burial near Stonehenge discovered by badger [02/13/2016]
Once a 'majestic roundhouse' - architect Sarah Ewbank believes she's solved Stonehenge's... [01/30/2016]
Stonehenge First Built in Wales, Study Claims [12/07/2015]
Stonehenge II is found! Radar search reveals giant line of standing stones from 4,500 years ago [09/07/2015]
Strange 'conehead' skeleton unearthed at Russia's Stonehenge: [07/29/2015]
University of Reading archaeologists to excavate the biggest henge in the country (Marden Henge) [06/29/2015]
Gold Sun Disc from time of Stonehenge revealed to the public [06/23/2015]
Stonehenge Damaged with Chewing Gum and Graffiti During Winter Solstice [03/07/2015]
Coolest Archaeological Discoveries of 2014 [CHEESE!] [12/30/2014]
Stonehenge dig finds 6,000-year-old encampment [12/20/2014]
The Most Disappointing Travel Destinations on Earth [12/07/2014]
Underground map reveals mysteries of Stonehenge (+video) [09/10/2014]
Tick One Off the Bucket List: The Sun God Cometh [09/07/2014]
Stonehenge 'complete circle' evidence found [09/06/2014]
'Knocked that off the bucket list': Obama makes surprise visit to Stonehenge following NATO summit [09/05/2014]
Why was Stonehenge built? 'Groundbreaking' discovery of 15 new monuments suggests the answer... [08/26/2014]
Archaeologists compare Neolithic Kent site to Stonehenge, find Bronze Age funerary monument [08/17/2014]
Archaeologists say Stonehenge was "London of the Mesolithic" in Amesbury investigation [05/10/2014]
UK's Oldest town revealed: Amesbury dates back more than TEN millenia [05/07/2014]
The Mystery of Stonehenge, Ancient Petroglyphs and Crop Circles [03/11/2014]
6,000-year-old vegetation found [ Salisbury plain ] [12/22/2013]
The world's first detailed prehistoric maps of Britain [12/19/2013]
Archaeologists Map Neolithic Monument Complex at Damerham, near Stonehenge [12/03/2013]
Archaeologists looking for Stonehenge origins 'are digging in wrong place' [11/28/2013]
Significance of Megalithic Monuments in Atlantic Europe? [09/15/2013]
Stonehenge Was An Ancient Burial Ground For the Rich: Study [04/27/2013]
Why did European DNA suddenly change 4,000 years ago? (Shortened Title) [04/24/2013]
Wanted: Stonehenge general manager to meet with Druids [04/22/2013]
Stonehenge 5,000 Years Older Than Thought [04/20/2013]
Ancient tomb found at 'Sweden's Stonehenge' [10/17/2012]
Uncovered: Secrets of Ilkley Moor's rock art [09/16/2012]
Research finds Stonehenge was monument marking unification of Britain [06/22/2012]
Welsh people could be most ancient in UK, DNA suggests [06/20/2012]
Swedish Stonehenge? Ancient stone structure spurs debate [04/19/2012]
Great Riddles in Archaeology [02/26/2012]
'Discovery of a lifetime': Stone Age temple found in Orkney is 800 years older than Stonehenge... [01/04/2012]
Stonehenge rocks Pembrokeshire link confirmed [12/20/2011]
Stonehenge rocks Pembrokeshire link confirmed [12/19/2011]
Archaeologists make new Stonehenge 'sun worship' find [11/28/2011]
Pagan stone circle built at US Air Force training academy [11/28/2011]
Archaeologist Claims 12,000-Year-Old Solstice Site in Clarke County[VA] [10/23/2011]
Prehistoric Teen Girl's Grave Found Near Henge [10/10/2011]
Aboriginal Stonehenge: Stargazing in ancient Australia [10/07/2011]
How two little ducks could transform our understanding of Stonehenge [10/06/2011]
Dig therapy for injured soldiers on Salisbury Plain [09/13/2011]
Tomb found at Stonehenge quarry site (Wales) [09/01/2011]
A new henge discovered at Stonehenge [02/02/2011]
The enigmatic Mzora stone ring in Morocco [02/02/2011]
Stonehenge Built With Balls? New experiment suggests monumental stones could have rolled on rails [12/30/2010]
The mystery of ancient man: Lost civilizations [12/23/2010]
Archaeology: 8000 year-old Sun temple found in Bulgaria [12/16/2010]
Cahokia's Woodhenge: a supprising implication [sic] [11/29/2010]
Stonehenge boy 'was from the Med' [09/28/2010]
Acoustic archaeology: The secret sounds of Stonehenge [08/27/2010]
Bronze Age henge found in Hertfordshire [08/25/2010]
Stonehenge's newly discovered second henge [07/23/2010]
Stonehenge twin discovered stone's throw away [woodhenge] [07/22/2010]
Wooden "Stonehenge" Emerges From Prehistoric Ohio [07/21/2010]
Archaeologists Begin Dig on Buried Stone Circle TEN Times Bigger than Stonehenge [07/01/2010]
Pagans Flock to Stone Henge Solstice [06/21/2010]
New Agers, neo-pagans see Stonehenge solstice [06/21/2010]
Stonehenge Builders' Village Found [06/15/2010]
Do Dartmoor's ancient stones have link to Stonehenge? [04/19/2010]
Stonehenge's secret: archaeologist uncovers evidence of encircling hedges [02/07/2010]
Pagans celebrate winter solstice on the wrong day [12/25/2009]
Archaeologists to explore feasting habits of ancient builders of Stonehenge [12/23/2009]
America's Stonehenge: A Classic Whodunit and Whydunit [12/16/2009]
Stonehenge Rebuilt [10/28/2009]
Prehistoric site found near UK's Stonehenge [10/04/2009]
Huge Pre-Stonehenge Complex Found via "Crop Circles" [06/16/2009]
More Stupid Feminazi Tricks [06/15/2009]
The king of Stonehenge: Were artefacts at ancient chief's burial site Britain's first Crown Jewels? [05/12/2009]
Moving block [04/06/2009]
Armenian links to Stonehenge explored [ Carahunge ] [02/12/2009]
Origins of underwater stones a mystery [02/09/2009]
Stonehenge in Lake Michigan?(Potentially pre-historic stone formation discovered deep underwater) [01/13/2009]
Stonehenge Beneath the Waters of Lake Michigan [01/08/2009]
Stonehenge Acoustics Ideal for Trance-Like Tunes [01/07/2009]
Bagnold's Stone Circle[Libya] [01/07/2009]
Mystery shrouds the ancient Oshoro circle [12/15/2008]
Britain's 'most important archeological' discovery found in desk drawer [10/28/2008]
Prehistoric child is discovered buried with 'toy hedgehog' at Stonehenge [10/12/2008]
Stonehenge 'was a cremation cemetry, not healing centre' [10/11/2008]
UK experts say Stonehenge was place of healing [09/22/2008]
Stone-age pilgrims trekked hundreds of miles to attend feast [ Stonehenge ] [09/15/2008]
Stonehenge 'was hidden from lower classes' [08/31/2008]
German scientists dig for their own Stonehenge [08/10/2008]
First Humans To Settle Americas Came From Europe, Not From Asia Over Bering Strait - [07/16/2008]
Stonehenge, Ohio Hopewell sites might have focused on burials [07/11/2008]
Research Casts New Light On History Of North America [07/01/2008]
UK: 30,000 gather at Stonehenge to celebrate Summer Solstice [Fair warning: Photos] [06/21/2008]
'Cursus' Is Older Than Stonehenge: Archeologists Step Closer To Solving Ancient Monument Riddle [06/10/2008]
Stonehenge Could Have Been Resting Place For Royalty [05/29/2008]
Stonehenge Mystery Solved. [05/29/2008]
Did Stonehenge start out as royal cemetery? [05/29/2008]
Is Stonehenge Roman? [04/14/2008]
Rochdale's Stonehenge? [04/11/2008]
'Breakthrough' At Stonehenge Dig [04/09/2008]
Archaeologists start Stonehenge dig [03/31/2008]
Archaeologist Begin Historic Stonehenge Dig [03/31/2008]
The Final Insult (Stonehenge) [03/05/2008]
Skeleton Could Hold Secret To Stonehenge [03/05/2008]
Rogem Hiri [01/19/2008]
Secrets of Miami Circle, known as America's Stonehenge, lie buried[Florida] [01/03/2008]
Stonehenge's huge support settlement [11/05/2007]
Message In The Stones [11/01/2007]
Building Stonehenge: This man can move anything [Michigan man solves mystery?] [09/06/2007]
Underwater Archaeologists Find Possible Mastodon Carving On Lake Michigan Rock [09/05/2007]
Where the Leylines Led (Ley Lines = Ancient "Corpse Roads"?) [07/22/2007]
Stonehenge Amulets Worn By Elite [04/07/2007]
Stonehenge Secrets May Lie By Side Of The Road [03/03/2007]
Ritual Piece Of Stonehenge Discovered [02/20/2007]
Houses Found Buried Beneath Stonehenge Site [01/30/2007]
Ancient Town Found Near Stonehenge [01/30/2007]
Stonehenge Builders' Houses Found [01/30/2007]
Stonehenge Didn't Stand Alone, Excavations Show [01/13/2007]
Pagans celebrate Winter Solstice at Stonehenge on the wrong day... [12/22/2006]
Ohio's Stonehenge [12/12/2006]
Early sketch of Stonehenge found [11/29/2006]
Stonehenge Was A Site For Sore Eyes In 2300BC [11/26/2006]
Stonehenge 'No Place For The Dead' Says BU Expert [11/16/2006]
Stonehenge makes list in new seven wonders vote [10/17/2006]
Ancient Stonehenge Houses Unearthed [10/14/2006]
Radical solution proposed for Stonehenge [10/07/2006]
Possible ancient calendar entry found [ Tantoc ruins, San Luis Potosi state, Huasteco culture ] [10/07/2006]
Dig unearths evidence of Neolithic partying [09/11/2006]
'Pyramids' discovered in Ukraine [09/07/2006]
Filipino 'Dwarf' Judge Loses Case [08/18/2006]
Neolithic stone circle revealed in Brittany(France) [08/17/2006]
Another ‘Stonehenge' discovered in Amazon [06/28/2006]
Astronomy Picture for Today [06/21/2006]
New glacier theory on Stonehenge [06/13/2006]
'Amazon Stonehenge' found in Brazil [05/13/2006]
'Brazilian Stonehenge' discovered [05/13/2006]
2 men discover what may be hemisphere's oldest seasonal calendar [05/02/2006]
The Amesbury Archer: King of Stonehenge? [08/31/2005]
Mystery Man Of Stonehenge [07/28/2005]
Archaeologists Figure Out Mystery Of Stonehenge Bluestones [06/24/2005]
Stonehenge Druids 'Mark Wrong Solstice' [06/21/2005]
"By the Dawn's Early Light" [02/25/2005]
Archaeologists Find 'Russian Stonehenge' (4,000 Years Old ) [01/29/2005]
Earliest Depiction Of A Rainbow Found [12/22/2004]
The Untold Mystery of Stonehenge [12/03/2004]
New Theory On Stonehenge Mystery [12/03/2004]
Archaeologists Uncover A Russian "Stonehenge" [11/13/2004]
Stonehenge: Built By Welshmen? [06/18/2004]
Modern Merlin raises faux Stonehenge in day [04/02/2004]
MICHIGAN MAN MAY HAVE TAPPED SECRETS OF THE ANCIENTS [03/24/2004]
Tests Reveal Amesbury Archer "King Of Stonehenge' Was A Settler From The Alps [02/08/2004]
Buried Megaliths Discovered At Stone Circle Site (Avebury) [12/02/2003]
High-tech lasers have been used to unlock the secrets of Stonehenge. [10/17/2003]
5,000-Year-Old Axe Head Found On Stonehenge World Heritage Site [09/21/2003]
See and hear Tom McClintock on the television and radio over the next few days... [08/12/2003]
Archaeologists Unearth German Stonehenge [08/08/2003]
Morford: Yay, Giant Stone Vaginas [07/23/2003]
The vagina monoliths: Stonehenge was ancient sex symbol [07/05/2003]
England: Govrn't gives A-OK for Stonehenge hotel and gas station. [06/23/2003]
Aging (and Wannabe)Hippie Alert: Stonehenge 2003 "...in touch with the flow of nature" [06/21/2003]
Six More Bodies Found Near 'King Of Stonehenge' Site [05/21/2003]
Avebury Stone Is Found to Rival Stonehenge [04/18/2003]
Female Anatomy Inspired Stonehenge [03/02/2003]
Stonehenge "King" was from central Europe [02/10/2003]
Science - Reuters [02/10/2003]
Star sheds light on African 'Stonehenge' [12/05/2002]
50 PLACES TO VISIT BEFORE YOU DIE (not one in Britain) [11/09/2002]
Mama Mia! You gotta nice rocks. [10/23/2002]
Unearthed, The Prince Of Stonehenge [08/25/2002]
Ancient grave discovered [05/17/2002]
Astronomy Picture of the Day 5-09-02 [05/09/2002]
British plan for tunnel near Stonehenge sparks debate [01/26/2002]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.