Archaeologists have uncovered a 5,000-year-old ceremonial monument near Stonehenge that appears to represent the earliest known solstice alignment in the area, suggesting prehistoric communities were marking the summer and winter solstices centuries before the famous stone circle was constructed.
The discovery, made by a team from Wessex Archaeology led by Phil Harding, was found near Bulford in Wiltshire, around five kilometres from Stonehenge. Radiocarbon dating indicates the site dates to approximately 2950 BC, around 500 years before the iconic stone alignments at Stonehenge were established.
The monument was thought to have been two massive wooden posts about 120 metres apart. It is believed that the posts were in alignment with the rising sun at the summer solstice and the setting sun at the winter solstice, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of astronomy in Neolithic communities.
While only the post pits survive today, the alignment was confirmed by skyscape archaeologist Dr Fabio Silva, who used digital reconstructions of the ancient landscape, horizon and sky to show the structure aligned with the solstices to within one degree of accuracy.
The site was excavated between 2015 and 2017 during archaeological investigations linked to the Ministry of Defence’s Army Basing Programme. Archaeologists uncovered 48 pits containing pottery, animal bones, worked flint and charcoal, indicating that large groups of people gathered there for ceremonial activities and feasting associated with the solar cycle.
Among the most notable finds was an extremely rare disc-shaped flint knife discovered in one of the pits. Researchers believe it may have been deliberately deposited as a symbolic representation of the sun.
Phil Harding described the discovery as one of the most significant of his career.
“In a few days’ time, Stonehenge will be filled with people celebrating midsummer solstice,” Harding said. “What few will realise is that 5,000 years ago on a nearby hillside, people were doing exactly the same thing. This discovery is probably one of the greatest finds of my career because it pushes back evidence for this ancient astronomical tradition by 500 years.”
Archaeologists suggest the simple timber alignment may represent an early form of monument that later evolved into more permanent ceremonial structures such as Stonehenge. Any similar timber features associated with the earliest phases of Stonehenge may have been destroyed during later construction.
Dr Matt Leivers, Senior Research Manager at Wessex Archaeology, said the discovery provides important insight into prehistoric beliefs and religious practices.
“The solstice was far more than an astronomical event,” he said. “It was a way of understanding the cosmos, marking the passage of time and maintaining a relationship with the forces people believed governed the world around them.”
According to Dr Silva, the discovery demonstrates that Stonehenge emerged from a much older tradition of observing and celebrating the movements of the sun.
“The alignment shows that communities were already engaging with both the summer and winter solstices in the Stonehenge landscape centuries before the sarsen stones were raised,” he said. “Stonehenge now appears to be part of a much longer story rather than the beginning of one.”
The ceremonial site was discovered during excavations carried out ahead of the construction of accommodation for military personnel returning from Germany. What initially appeared to be a relatively modest archaeological feature has since transformed understanding of the ceremonial landscape surrounding Stonehenge.
Researchers say the findings will feature in an upcoming publication by the Prehistoric Society and a major report on discoveries made during the Army Basing Programme later this year.
Header Image Credit : Marijane Porter, Wessex Archaeology
Sources : Wessex Archaeology
