Simpler, older version of Stonehenge found three miles from famous site
Ancient Alignment Uncovered
Simpler older version of Stonehenge found – Researchers have uncovered an earlier, less complex replica of Stonehenge approximately 3 miles (5km) away from the iconic monument. While the structure’s remains are minimal—just two holes in the earth—the team suggests these pits once held wooden posts aligned with the Sun’s position during key solstices. This alignment mirrors that of Stonehenge, indicating a shared understanding of celestial patterns by prehistoric communities.
“Two post pits tell me [much] more about the people 5,000 years ago,” said Phil Harding of Wessex Archaeology. “This tells me about the whole community, this tells me about how they were thinking, how they were behaving, how they were revering the heavens.”
Reconstructing the Past
The site, estimated to be around 5,000 years old, is 500 years older than the main Stonehenge. Its simplicity contrasts sharply with the monument’s stone construction, yet its purpose appears similar. Dr. Fabio Silva, an archaeoastronomer from Bournemouth University and the Skyscape Academy, explained the significance of celestial alignment: “The sky—the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets and stars—change very slowly over centuries. We don’t really notice it during our lifetimes. So we need to reconstruct the sky, as it was exactly 5,000 years ago, to understand where the Sun rose and at what time.”
Artifacts and Insights
During the excavation in Bulford village, archaeologists found more than just the post pits. Surrounding them were dozens of other holes containing remnants of daily life, including pottery, flint tools, and animal bones. These items provide a glimpse into the activities of prehistoric inhabitants, who likely gathered at the site for rituals or communal purposes.
“It was, I think, our star find,” said Harding. “What is so special about it is the workmanship that’s gone into it. That is the work of real craftsmanship.”
Ancient Construction and Symbolism
The wooden posts, believed to be between 2m and 4m tall, were spaced 120m (394ft) apart. Their alignment with the Sun’s path on solstices suggests a purpose tied to astronomical observation. Harding noted that the holes’ orientation matched the same solar events as Stonehenge, though the structure itself was far more modest. The team used radiocarbon dating to confirm the site’s age, analyzing organic materials to pinpoint its timeline.
Seasonal Significance
At Stonehenge, the Sun rises over the heel stone on the summer solstice and sets over the altar stone on the winter solstice. Similarly, the Bulford site’s posts may have marked these same events, though with wooden structures rather than the famous monoliths. The alignment’s precision, even with the posts’ width accounted for, underscores its intentional design.
“If you take into account the width of the posts… then the alignment is exactly, exactly right,” said Silva. “It’s accurately aligned to summer solstice sunrise and winter solstice sunset.”
Early Farmers and Celestial Fascination
The Bulford monument dates to the same period as Stonehenge’s earliest earthworks, built nearly a millennium before the stones were erected. Dr. Jennifer Wexler, curator of history at English Heritage, proposed that the site could have been a hub for seasonal gatherings or a base for those involved in constructing Stonehenge. The fascination with the Sun, she noted, may have stemmed from the early farmers’ reliance on its cycles for agriculture and survival.
Among the most intriguing finds was a rare Neolithic knife, shaped into a disc. Its upright placement hints at deliberate care, raising questions about its symbolic meaning. Harding speculated whether the design could reflect a connection to the Sun, though the exact significance remains a mystery.
A Decade of Discovery
The site was first identified a decade ago during construction for new army housing. However, it wasn’t until recent analysis that the alignment’s astronomical purpose became clear. This breakthrough involved reimagining the ancient sky, adjusting for millennia of gradual changes to confirm the structure’s celestial function.
