Archaeologists have identified an earlier and simpler version of Stonehenge just 5 kilometers from the world-famous monument.
The discovery was made near the village of Bulford in Wiltshire, England. Researchers say the site dates back about 5,000 years.
Unlike Stonehenge, the newly studied structure was not built from massive stones. It consisted of only two large wooden posts placed in the ground. Those posts have long since rotted away, leaving only two deep pits.
The site first came to light about a decade ago during ground preparation for new military housing. Archaeologists noticed unusual features beneath the surface. Detailed analysis has now revealed their significance.
Experts found that the two posts were positioned around 120 meters apart. They stood between two and four meters high. Their placement formed a line that matched important solar events.
Phil Harding of Wessex Archaeology led the excavation work. He said the alignment caught his attention immediately. After examining the layout, he realized it pointed toward the midsummer sunrise.
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Further study confirmed the observation. Researchers found the monument was carefully aligned with both the summer solstice sunrise and the winter solstice sunset. These are the same solar events that Stonehenge marks today.
How Scientists Confirmed the Solstice Alignment
To verify the discovery, specialists reconstructed the ancient sky as it appeared 5,000 years ago. This process accounted for small changes in Earth’s position over thousands of years. Such changes gradually alter the apparent positions of celestial objects.
Dr. Fabio Silva, an archaeoastronomer from Bournemouth University and the Skyscape Academy, helped conduct the analysis. His team used astronomical modeling to calculate where the Sun rose and set during that period. The results matched the alignment of the wooden posts.
Researchers also considered the width of the original posts. When those dimensions were included, the alignment became even more precise. The evidence showed that the structure was intentionally designed around solar events.
The finding is important because it demonstrates that prehistoric communities were already building monuments linked to the Sun’s movement. Stonehenge is famous for this feature today. The Bulford site suggests the tradition began earlier than previously understood.
For ancient farming societies, the Sun played a central role in daily life. Seasonal changes affected crops, animals, and food supplies. Tracking the Sun helped communities understand the passing of the year.
The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year. The winter solstice marks the shortest day. Both events were important seasonal markers for early agricultural societies.
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Before Stonehenge, Wood Ruled
The excavation uncovered much more than the two post pits. Archaeologists found dozens of additional holes around the site. Many contained objects were left behind by the people who once gathered there.
Among the discoveries were decorated pottery fragments. Researchers also found flint tools, animal bones, and an antler believed to have been used for digging. These items helped establish the site’s age and purpose.
Scientists used radiocarbon dating to determine when the monument was built. This method measures changes in a specific form of carbon found in organic materials. The results showed the site dates back roughly 5,000 years.
One of the most notable discoveries was a rare Neolithic flint knife. Unlike typical stone blades, this example had been carefully shaped into a rounded disc form. Archaeologists described it as one of the most remarkable objects recovered from the site.
The knife was found standing upright in the ground. Its unusual position suggests it may have been deliberately placed there. Researchers believe it may have held ceremonial or symbolic significance.
Some experts wonder whether the disc shape represents the Sun. There is no direct evidence for that interpretation. However, the monument’s solar alignment makes the idea intriguing.
The collection of artefacts indicates that people gathered at the site regularly. These gatherings may have included ceremonies, seasonal events, or community activities. The monument appears to have served as an important local meeting place.
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The discovery also raises new questions about Stonehenge’s origins. The Bulford monument dates to the same period as the earliest earthwork phase at Stonehenge. That phase began centuries before the famous stones were erected.
According to historians, the people associated with Bulford may have helped build the first stages of Stonehenge. They may have lived nearby or traveled to the area seasonally. The close proximity of the two sites strengthens that possibility.
Researchers believe winter solstice celebrations were especially important to these communities. During the darkest time of the year, people may have gathered to mark the return of longer days. Such events would have carried practical and symbolic meaning for farming societies.
Today, thousands of visitors travel to Stonehenge every year to watch the summer solstice sunrise. The newly studied Bulford site shows that this connection between people and the Sun stretches even further into the past.
