A recent confirmation has come regarding the existence of a series of large Neolithic pits at the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, following preliminary studies conducted a few years back.
The substantial pits located at Durrington Walls in Wiltshire are meticulously arranged, each with a diameter of ten meters and a depth exceeding five meters.
According to Professor Vince Gaffney, these pits, as a unified structure, may represent “one of the largest prehistoric constructions in Britain, possibly the largest of its kind.”
Details of the Findings
The new findings, released in the Internet Archaeology Journal, assert that these pits are almost certainly created by human hands and date back over 4,000 years.
Professor Gaffney, affiliated with the University of Bradford, noted the substantial effort required to excavate these holes, which extend about two stories deep within the chalk landscape.
“The circle is quite precise. It indicates that individuals were measuring the distances to ensure consistent alignment around the perimeter, similar to the spacing from the henge to an earlier boundary,” he elaborated.
Implications of the Research
Professor Gaffney emphasized that this discovery corroborates earlier evidence of people utilizing counting methods and measurement.
“They’re recording elements of their worldview and belief systems directly into the earth in a remarkably significant manner,” he stated.
Researchers conducted a survey covering 12 square kilometers of terrain when they identified these enormous pits.
These features, no longer apparent to the unaided eye and too large for rapid excavation, led them to create narrow boreholes for material sampling.
Analyzing the Discoveries
DNA analysis from the collected samples uncovered remains of animals, such as sheep and cattle.
The samples were instrumental in aiding experts with dating the pits.
Dr. Tim Kinnaird from the University of St Andrews referred to this discovery as a “super henge” and utilized a technique known as luminescence dating.
“Prior to sediment entering the pit, it was exposed to daylight, allowing us to determine the construction period,” he explained.
A Long-Lasting Site
The analysis also revealed that the pits remained open for a millennium, signifying a span across various cultural changes.
“This indicates a remarkable continuity over time,” he concluded.
Comments