Archaeologists uncover vast prehistoric pit circle from the Neolithic era near Stonehenge
By kevinhughes // 2025-12-28
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  • Archaeologists uncovered a colossal ring of over 20 deep pits (some 10m wide, 5m deep) encircling Durrington Walls and Woodhenge, spanning over a mile in diameter. Confirmed as one of Britain's largest and most mysterious Neolithic structures, dating back 4,500 years—the same era as Stonehenge's peak.
  • Initially debated as natural formations, advanced techniques (electrical resistance tomography, ground-penetrating radar, sedDNA, OSL dating) proved the pits were deliberately dug. Lead researcher Prof. Vincent Gaffney stated: "They can't be occurring naturally… We think we've nailed it."
  • The precise alignment suggests early mathematical knowledge, possibly used for ritual or cosmological mapping. May have marked a sacred boundary, separating ceremonial grounds from everyday life, reflecting deep spiritual beliefs.
  • Sediment analysis revealed sheep and cattle DNA, indicating nearby farming activity. Pits remained open for over 1,000 years, surviving cultural shifts—hinting at enduring ritual importance.
  • The pits reinforce Salisbury Plain as a hub of Neolithic spirituality, linking Stonehenge, Woodhenge and Durrington Walls in a coordinated religious landscape. Future research may uncover more pits or astronomical alignments, but the exact purpose remains unknown.
A groundbreaking archaeological discovery near Stonehenge has unveiled a colossal ring of ancient pits, now confirmed as one of Britain's largest—and most mysterious—prehistoric structures. Spanning over a mile in diameter, this monumental arrangement of more than 20 deep shafts, some measuring 10 meters wide and five meters deep, encircles the Neolithic sites of Durrington Walls and Woodhenge, just 1.8 miles northeast of Stonehenge. First detected in 2020, the pits initially sparked debate over whether they were natural formations or deliberate constructions. Now, a peer-reviewed study published in Internet Archaeology—led by Professor Vincent Gaffney of the University of Bradford—confirms their human origin, dating them to 4,500 years ago, the same era as Stonehenge's zenith. Using cutting-edge techniques—including electrical resistance tomography, ground-penetrating radar, sediment DNA (sedDNA) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating—researchers ruled out natural causes. Gaffney believes the latest research showed the pits formed an "extraordinary structure" that was probably built in the late Neolithic period. "They can't be occurring naturally. It just can't happen," he stated. "We think we've nailed it."

A sacred boundary or cosmic blueprint?

The precision of the pits suggests Neolithic Britons had advanced counting skills. "The circle is pretty accurate. It suggests that people were pacing the distances out to make sure that the pits were aligned at the same distance all the way around as the distance from the henge to the earlier enclosure," Gaffney explained. This implies early mathematical knowledge, possibly used for ritual or cosmological mapping. The pits encircle Woodhenge, a timber counterpart to Stonehenge, and Durrington Walls, a "superhenge" believed to be the largest in the United Kingdom. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine explains that the Durrington Walls consist of a circular ditch and bank enclosure with multiple entrances and internal features. The Durrington Walls is significant for their size, complexity and the insights they provide into the beliefs, rituals and social structures of the people who built it around 4,700 years ago. Researchers theorize the pits marked a sacred boundary, separating ceremonial grounds from the mundane world. "They're inscribing something about their cosmology, their belief systems, into the earth itself in a very dramatic way," Gaffney said.

Sheep, cattle and a millennium-long legacy

Sediment analysis revealed animal DNA (sheep and cattle), indicating farming activity nearby. Even more astonishing, OSL dating showed the pits remained open for over 1,000 years, surviving cultural shifts. "It confirms that this structure – probably the largest prehistoric monument in Britain at least – is a purposefully constructed monument in a landscape which is itself exceptional," Gaffney stated. The discovery reinforces the Salisbury Plain as a hub of Neolithic spirituality. Stonehenge, Woodhenge, Durrington Walls and now this pit circle forms a ceremonial network, suggesting coordinated religious and social organization. "The size of the structure demonstrates the society they lived in was capable of planning and motivating large numbers of people for religious purposes," Gaffney noted. Yet, the ultimate purpose remains elusive. "We may never know exactly why they built it," he admitted. The research, part of the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project, continues to decode this ancient enigma. Future studies may reveal more pits, artifacts, or even links to astronomical alignments. For now, the Durrington pit circle stands as a testament to Neolithic Britain's sophistication—a monumental, sacred boundary etched into the earth, echoing beliefs lost to time but rediscovered through science. Watch the video about how Stonehenge used sacred geometry to harmonize with the cosmos. This video is from the Union With God channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk BBC.com Independent.co.uk Bradford.ac.uk BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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