Archaeologists find 5,000-year-old solstice marker near Stonehenge
Researchers have discovered evidence of a wooden structure used to track solstice points approximately five kilometres from the famous stone circle. The site is believed to be an earlier version of the monument that predates the construction of the current stones.
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Archaeologists have identified remains of a wooden structure dating back approximately 5,000 years in the vicinity of Stonehenge. Reports from New Scientist and BBC News state that the site is located roughly five kilometres from the well-known monument and appears to have functioned as an earlier marker for observing seasonal changes.
Discovery of ancient markers
The discovery involves two ancient holes where posts were likely placed to align with both the summer and winter solstices. According to reports by BBC News, these structures allowed inhabitants to track solar cycles five millennia ago. New Scientist describes the find as a simpler version of Stonehenge that may have functioned as an early prototype for the stone monument constructed in later centuries.
Historical context
The presence of these markers suggests a long history of astronomical observation at the site prior to the construction of the primary stone circle. Live Science reported that Stone Age people erected these posts to observe solstices well before the stones at Stonehenge were put into place. The discovery is characterized by some as a pioneering achievement, providing evidence of how early populations utilized timber and earth for tracking celestial events. The existence of these structures indicates that the site may have been used for astronomical purposes over several centuries before the current stone configuration was established.