Simpler, older version of Stonehenge found three miles from famous site
Summary
Archaeologists found an older, simpler structure near Stonehenge that is about 5,000 years old, 500 years older than Stonehenge itself. This site had two wooden posts aligned with the sunrise and sunset on the longest and shortest days of the year, showing early people’s interest in tracking the Sun.Key Facts
- The older structure was found about 3 miles from Stonehenge in Bulford village.
- Only two holes remain from the original wooden posts, which lined up with summer solstice sunrise and winter solstice sunset.
- The posts were estimated to be between 2 and 4 meters high and 120 meters apart.
- The site dates back 5,000 years, older than Stonehenge by about 500 years.
- Archaeologists found pottery, flint tools, animal bones, and other artefacts at the site.
- Radiocarbon dating was used to determine the age of the site and the artefacts.
- Archaeoastronomers studied the solar alignments by recreating the sky from 5,000 years ago.
- The findings suggest prehistoric communities had knowledge of the Sun’s movements for marking significant times of the year.
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