Archaeologists have definitively confirmed the existence of a colossal pit circle surrounding Stonehenge, constructed by Neolithic people over 4,000 years ago. The discovery, initially proposed in 2020, was met with skepticism, but recent analysis using a combination of cutting-edge scientific techniques has solidified the evidence: these were not natural formations, but a deliberately engineered structure.
A Subterranean Landscape
The Durrington pit circle spans over a mile in diameter, encompassing the Durrington Walls and Woodhenge sites at its center. The pits themselves are immense, some reaching 10 meters wide and 5 meters deep – a feat requiring significant planning and engineering expertise. The scale of the project suggests a sophisticated understanding of measurement and spatial organization; the structure is too large to have been created without a method of tracking position.
Unprecedented Analysis
Researchers led by Professor Vincent Gaffney of the University of Bradford employed a multi-faceted approach to validate the human origins of the pits. This included electrical resistance tomography to map depth, radar and magnetometry for shape analysis, and crucially, sediment core extraction. Using optically stimulated luminescence dating, they determined the age of the soil directly, while sedDNA analysis revealed patterns in animal and plant remains that could not occur naturally.
“The exceptional size of the pits demanded a novel strategy to explore them without the need for a major, and very expensive, excavation,” Gaffney explained.
The Purpose Remains a Mystery
The exact purpose of the Durrington pit circle remains unknown, but the scale and precision of its construction suggest it was a significant undertaking. Gaffney speculates the structure may be linked to Neolithic beliefs about the underworld, transforming the landscape into a cosmological statement.
This discovery fundamentally changes our understanding of the Neolithic period in Britain. The Durrington pit circle represents a monumental achievement of prehistoric engineering, rivaling Stonehenge in its ambition and complexity. The monument underscores that the builders of Stonehenge were not alone; they were part of a broader, more interconnected cultural landscape.
