Unveiling a Prehistoric Marvel Near Stonehenge
A groundbreaking discovery near the iconic Stonehenge has revealed a series of colossal Neolithic pits, potentially reshaping our understanding of prehistoric Britain. The massive pits, located at Durrington Walls within the Stonehenge World Heritage Site in Wiltshire, have been confirmed following initial research conducted several years ago. These findings, published in the Internet Archaeology Journal, suggest a sophisticated level of planning and communal effort in the construction of what could be one of the largest prehistoric structures in the region.
The pits, spaced at regular intervals, measure approximately ten meters in diameter and exceed five meters in depth. Professor Vince Gaffney, from the University of Bradford, described the discovery as a "cohesive structure" that could be "one of the largest prehistoric structures in Britain, if not the largest prehistoric structure". The research concludes that these pits are almost certainly man-made and date back over 4,000 years.
A Monumental Undertaking
The excavation of these pits, reaching depths of around two storeys, from the chalk landscape would have been a considerable undertaking. The horseshoe-shaped arrangement of the pits also aligns with another monument near Larkhill, indicating a deliberate connection between these sites.
"The circle is pretty accurate," Prof. Gaffney explained. "It suggests that people were pacing the distances out to make sure that the pits were aligned at the same distance all the way around as the distance from the henge to the earlier enclosure." This precision suggests that these early people were not only capable of complex measurement but also possessed a deep understanding of geometry and spatial relationships.
Cosmology Etched into the Earth
Prof. Gaffney emphasized that this discovery adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that prehistoric societies were engaged in counting and applying mathematical principles in their constructions. "They're inscribing something about their cosmology, their belief systems, into the earth itself in a very dramatic way," he stated. The pits, therefore, may represent more than just physical structures; they could be symbolic representations of the beliefs and worldview of the people who created them.
Unearthing the Past Through Scientific Analysis
Researchers surveyed 12 sq km (7.4 sq m) of the landscape, leading to the identification of these giant holes. As the pits are no longer visible to the naked eye and are too large for quick excavation, scientists employed narrow boreholes to extract samples. DNA analysis of these samples revealed remains of animals, including sheep and cattle, providing insights into the diet and agricultural practices of the time. Dr. Tim Kinnaird from the University of St Andrews utilized a method called luminescence dating to determine the age of the excavations, referring to the site as a "super henge". "So just before that sediment falls into the pit, it's exposed to daylight, so we can date the time of construction," he explained.
A Legacy Spanning Millennia
The luminescence dating also revealed that the pits were kept open for an extended period, approximately 1,000 years. "So that spans changing cultures," Dr. Kinnaird noted, suggesting that the site held significance across multiple generations and potentially witnessed shifts in cultural practices and beliefs. This discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and minds of the people who inhabited this landscape thousands of years ago, challenging our preconceived notions about their capabilities and the complexity of their society.
