Simpler, older version of Stonehenge found three miles from famous site

New Delhi, India Jul 2, 2026 ALN: Archaeologists believe they have discovered an earlier, much simpler version of Stonehenge about 3 miles (5km) away from the prehistoric monument.

All that remains of the older structure is two holes in the ground, but the team says they held wooden posts that lined up with the Sun on the summer and winter solstices - the longest and shortest days of the year - in the same way as Stonehenge.

The site has been dated to about 5,000 years old, which predates Stonehenge by 500 years. This finding is significant as it suggests that the cultural practices and astronomical alignments associated with Stonehenge were being developed long before the iconic stones were erected. The discovery of this simpler structure may provide insights into the early human understanding of celestial events and their importance in prehistoric societies.

Artefacts were also found at the site, including pottery, flint tools, and animal bone, suggesting prehistoric people held gatherings there. The presence of these artefacts indicates that the site was not merely a functional structure for astronomical observation but also a social and communal hub for the people of that era.

Phil Harding, from Wessex Archaeology, who led the excavation, described the find as one of the best of his long career. He expressed that the two post pits reveal much about the lives of people 5,000 years ago, indicating their community structure and their reverence for celestial phenomena. Harding stated, "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." This statement underscores the connection between the community’s social practices and their understanding of the cosmos.

The huge stones at Stonehenge are precisely placed to line up with the Sun, demonstrating the advanced understanding of astronomy possessed by the people who built it. If you stand in the middle of the circle at sunrise on the summer solstice, you will see the Sun come up over a stone called the heel stone to the northeast of the circle. Conversely, on midwinter, if standing in the centre of the circle, you would see the sun set over an altar stone to the southwest of the site. This alignment has fascinated archaeologists and historians for decades, as it reflects the importance of solar cycles in the agricultural practices of ancient communities.

The structure discovered in the village of Bulford was a much simpler construction made up of just two wooden posts, which have long since rotted away. They were positioned 120m (394ft) apart and estimated to be between 2m and 4m high. The simplicity of the structure as opposed to the grandeur of Stonehenge raises questions about the evolution of monument building and the increasing complexity of social and religious practices over time.

When Harding uncovered the intriguing holes, he noticed that they seemed to line up with the Sun, just like Stonehenge located a few miles away. He meticulously measured the alignment, stating, "I got my pencil and ruler, and I joined them up, and I was aware that they were kind of pointing in the general direction of the sunrise on midsummer." This meticulous approach to archaeological analysis highlights the importance of precision in understanding the intentions of prehistoric builders.

The traces of the earlier structure were found a decade ago in Bulford when the ground was cleared for new army housing. However, it is only now that a detailed analysis of the alignment has been carried out, which involved turning back the celestial clock. Dr. Fabio Silva, an archaeoastronomer from Bournemouth University and the Skyscape Academy, explained that reconstructing the sky as it appeared 5,000 years ago was key to understanding the significance of the site. He noted, "The sky - the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars - they change very slowly throughout the centuries. We don't really notice it during our lifetimes." This highlights the challenges archaeologists face when attempting to interpret ancient structures and their alignment with celestial bodies.

Dr. Silva elaborated, "So we basically need to reconstruct the sky, what it looked like exactly 5,000 years ago, where the Sun was rising and what time it was rising in those places. If you take into account the width of the posts… then the alignment is exactly, exactly right. It's accurately aligned to summer solstice sunrise and winter solstice sunset." This precision suggests that the builders possessed a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, which they likely used to inform their agricultural practices.

The pits that held these posts were not the only discovery during the excavation; surrounding them were dozens of other holes containing artefacts belonging to the prehistoric people of Bulford village. These objects have helped to establish the age of the site. The team used radiocarbon dating, which looks at how a special form of carbon changes over time, to work out that the structure was indeed 5,000 years old. Radiocarbon dating is a crucial tool in archaeology, allowing researchers to establish timelines and understand the context of historical events.

The artefacts included an antler that would have been used for digging, and other carved animal bones, as well as finely decorated fragments of pottery. These findings paint a picture of a community engaged in various activities, including hunting, gathering, and possibly ritualistic practices. Tools made of flint were also uncovered, including a rare Neolithic knife that has been rounded into a disc-shape (discoidal). Harding referred to this knife as "our star find," emphasizing its significance. He noted, "What is so special about it is the workmanship that's gone into it. That is the work of real craftsmanship." This craftsmanship reflects the skills and artistic sensibilities of the people who lived during this period.

Harding mentioned that the knife was found in an upright position, suggesting it had been carefully placed, leading him to ponder its potential symbolic significance. He speculated, "Maybe that discoidal shape is some sort of reference to the Sun, who knows?" This possibility points to the intricate relationship between daily life, craft production, and cosmological beliefs in prehistoric societies.

The monument at Bulford dates to the same time as the earliest phase of activity at Stonehenge, when the first earthworks were built half a millennium before the stones were placed. This connection raises intriguing questions about the cultural continuity between the two sites. Dr. Jennifer Wexler, curator of history at English Heritage, suggested that the discovery of Bulford indicates that the people who built the initial stages of Stonehenge may have been based or living in Bulford or at least gathering seasonally to do the construction work at Stonehenge. This connection emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration in the construction of monumental architecture.

But why were these prehistoric people so fascinated with the Sun? Dr. Wexler provided insight into this question, explaining, "The people who built Stonehenge and the people who were at Bulford were early farmers, and their livelihoods really were connected to the seasons and the Sun doing its job." The connection between agricultural practices and celestial events is a recurring theme in many ancient cultures, as the success of crops often depended on understanding and predicting seasonal changes.

Today, the summer solstice at Stonehenge is the biggest draw, when thousands of people come to witness sunrise at the monument. However, Wexler notes that 5,000 years ago, the winter solstice - the shortest day of the year - held more significance for the ancient communities. She stated, "Winter might have been particularly important because it's a time of year when the light is literally dying, and maybe you need to do something to evoke that return or mark it, because then it's a return of the spring, when hopefully your crops and your animals will thrive." This perspective invites further exploration into the rituals and practices that may have been associated with these significant solar events.