An archaeological discovery in southern England could help shed light on the origins of one of the world’s most famous monuments. Researchers have identified a structure located just 5 kilometers from Stonehenge which, according to the team responsible, may have functioned as a kind of “prototype” of the complex built thousands of years later, according to information from the portal Science Alert.
The structure was found in Bulford, on Salisbury Plain, the same region where Stonehenge is located. Archaeologists believe it predates the stone monument by approximately 500 years, which would place it among the earliest known examples of buildings aligned with astronomical events in the area.
For those in a hurry:
- Structure was found in Bulford, 5 km from Stonehenge;
- It may be around 500 years older than the monument;
- It was aligned with the summer and winter solstices;
- Archaeologists have found ceramics, bones and ritual objects;
- Discovery suggests solar traditions predate Stonehenge.
Structure pointed to the solstices
According to the Wessex Archeology team, the site was made up of two large wooden posts about 120 meters apart. The alignment between them pointed directly towards the sunrise during the summer solstice and the sunset during the winter solstice.
This same principle of solar alignment is one of Stonehenge’s best-known features. Therefore, researchers suggest that the newly discovered structure may represent an earlier phase in the development of religious and ceremonial practices that culminated in the construction of the stone monument.
The excavation also revealed several important artifacts. Among the finds are ceramic fragments, animal bones and a rare disc-shaped knife, objects that indicate intense human activity at the site.
Possible center of prehistoric ceremonies
The work was led by archaeologist Phil Harding. According to him, the site probably served as a meeting point for large religious celebrations linked to solar cycles.
The discovery occurred during archaeological work carried out to support British Ministry of Defense projects in the region. Excavations took place between 2015 and 2017, but analysis of the materials and data took several years to complete.
Source: www.olhardigital.com.br
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