A huge circle of ditches discovered near Stonehenge in Wiltshire has been confirmed to be a Neolithic structure following an international investigation led by the University of Bradford. This discovery, validated with advanced scientific techniques, redefines understanding of the geometric and ritual practices of early British societies.
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The circuit, which was first designated in 2020, surrounds the archaeological sites of Durrington Walls and Woodhenge, just a few kilometers from Stonehenge. According to the University of Bradford, it is the largest known prehistoric structure in the UK: the ring is more than 2 kilometers in diameter, covers about 3 square kilometers, and each hole is up to 10 meters wide and about 7 meters deep.
The scale of the limestone excavation highlights an unprecedented level of planning and teamwork. For archaeologists, the design, location and size of the site could only be achieved through the advanced social organization and technical knowledge notable for the period.
To confirm the human origin of the graves, the team combined several techniques. Advanced geophysics – including electrical resistivity tomography, radar and magnetometry – has made it possible to map the shape and depth of the cavities. To rule out a natural origin, researchers resorted to analyzing sedimentary cores.
Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) was used to determine when the soil was last exposed to sunlight, providing an accurate excavation date. Environmental DNA (sedaDNA) analysis revealed biological remains and enabled the reconstruction of the vegetation of the period, confirming the builders’ interaction with the environment. Studies of clay and silt showed successive layers, indicating that the pits were filled in a controlled manner over time.
The conclusions, published in the online journal Archeology at the end of November, indicate that the formation of the excavation circle was the result of human activity. Professor Vincent Gaffney, from the University of Bradford, told The Guardian: “It could not have formed naturally. This is simply not possible. We believe we have proven that.” He also stressed that the ditches at Durrington Walls are part of a massive, structured landscape, revealing a complex Neolithic society.
This discovery opens new lines of investigation into structure function, chronology and environmental influence. Experts speculate about the ritual and cosmological purposes of the wells. According to Gaffney, the circles may be linked to beliefs about the underworld, distinguishing them from the astrological alignments of Stonehenge. The University of Bradford considers that the circle may have defined a ceremonial space at Dorrington Walls, reflecting practices that influenced the mythical composition of the landscape.
The discovery is part of the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project, a multidisciplinary initiative involving European universities, supported by English Heritage and the National Trust.