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New discovery may have been Stonehenge prototype

Archaeologists from Wessex Archaeology discovered a 5,000-year-old timber circle in Bulford, Wiltshire. The structure features posts aligned with the solstices and predates the stone circles by 500 years. Experts suggest the site served as a prototype for Stonehenge.

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What changed

New details identify the site location as Bulford and establish that it predates the stone circles by 500 years.

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  1. Wooden Stonehenge Prototype Found in Bulford

    Archaeologists from Wessex Archaeology discovered a 5,000-year-old timber circle in Bulford, Wiltshire. The structure features posts aligned with the solstices and predates the stone circles by 500 years. Experts suggest the site served as a prototype for Stonehenge.

    What's confirmed:

    • Archaeologists discovered a 5,000-year-old wooden structure in Bulford, Wiltshire.
    • The structure is aligned with the solstices.
    • The timber circle predates the stone circles by 500 years.
    • The site contains 48 ancient pits.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The discovery is the greatest find in the region.
    • The timber circle's cosmic precision rivals that of the stone monument.
    confidence 90%
  2. Wooden Prototype for Stonehenge Found Near Bulford

    Archaeologists discovered a 5,000-year-old wooden structure in southwest England. The site features two large posts aligned with the summer solstice sunrise. This find suggests solstice celebrations on Salisbury Plain occurred centuries earlier than previously believed.

    What's confirmed:

    • A 5,000-year-old structure was found in southwest England.
    • The structure is located near Bulford.
    • The site aligns with the solstices.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The two wooden posts are positioned approximately 120 metres apart.
    • The monument is located 5 kilometers from Stonehenge.
    • The wooden prototype predates the stone megaliths by approximately 500 years.
    confidence 80%
  3. 5,000-Year-Old Wooden Structure Identified as Stonehenge Prototype

    Archaeologists found a 5,000-year-old wooden structure near Stonehenge. Two posts at the site align with the summer sunrise and winter sunset. This suggests prehistoric Britons tracked the sun centuries before the stone circle was built.

    What's confirmed:

    • The structure is 5,000 years old.
    • The site is located near Stonehenge.
    • The structure indicates prehistoric people tracked the solstice before Stonehenge was built.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The structure consisted of two wooden posts that aligned precisely with the summer sunrise and winter sunset.
    • Phil Harding of Wessex Archaeology led the team.
    confidence 90%
  4. Phil Harding leads discovery of 5,000-year-old Stonehenge prototype

    Archaeologists found a structure that represents the earliest known solstice alignment. The site is located five kilometers from Stonehenge. It likely established the basis for religious rites marking the longest and shortest days of the year.

    What's confirmed:

    • The discovery is radiocarbon dated to around 5,000 years ago.
    • The site reveals the earliest known alignment with the solstice in the Stonehenge landscape.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The ruins likely laid the groundwork for religious rites celebrating the longest and shortest days of the year.
    confidence 90%
  5. Wooden Stonehenge Prototype Found in Southern England

    Archaeologists discovered a structure that may have served as a prototype for Stonehenge. The site is the earliest known alignment with the solstice. It predates the main stone circle by approximately 500 years.

    What's confirmed:

    • The structure predates the main Stonehenge stone circle by around 500 years.
    • The site is aligned with the solstices.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The prototype structure was made of wood.
    • Two vanished posts indicate ancient Britons tracked solstices before Stonehenge was built.
    confidence 90%
  6. Archaeologists find 5,000-year-old Stonehenge prototype

    Researchers discovered a simpler, older structure in southern England that may have served as a prototype for Stonehenge. The monument is aligned with the solstices and predates the famous site by roughly 500 years. It is located a few miles from the original stone circle.

    What's confirmed:

    • The discovered structure is located three miles from Stonehenge.
    • The monument is 5,000 years old.
    • The structure predates Stonehenge by around 500 years.
    • The monument is aligned with the solstices.
    • The structure is described as a simpler version of Stonehenge.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The monument consists of a wooden structure located 5 kilometres from Stonehenge.
    • The discovery involved ancient pits showing hints of solstice rituals.
    confidence 90%