Discovery Reveals Earlier Solar Worship
Archaeologists believe they have uncovered a prehistoric site near Bulford, approximately three miles (5km) from Stonehenge, which appears to be an earlier and more rudimentary version of the famous monument. While only two post holes remain, researchers suggest these once held large wooden posts that, much like Stonehenge, were precisely aligned with the summer and winter solstices.
This newly identified site has been carbon-dated to approximately 5,000 years ago, placing its construction about 500 years before the first phase of Stonehenge. Alongside the post holes, various artifacts including pottery, flint tools, and animal bones were found, indicating that the location served as a gathering place for prehistoric communities.
Phil Harding of Wessex Archaeology, who led the excavation, described it as a significant career find. "Two post pits tell me [much] more about the people 5,000 years ago," he stated. "This tells me about the whole community, this tells me about how they were thinking, how they were behaving, how they were revering the heavens."
Precision Alignment with Celestial Events
Stonehenge is renowned for its precise alignment with the Sun during the solstices. For instance, on the summer solstice, the sunrise aligns with the Heel Stone when viewed from the center of the circle. Similarly, the winter solstice sunset aligns with an altar stone.
The Bulford structure, though far simpler, exhibited a similar celestial orientation. It consisted of two wooden posts, estimated to be between 2m and 4m tall and spaced 120m (394ft) apart. Harding's initial observations of the excavated holes led him to suspect their alignment. Dr. Fabio Silva, an archaeoastronomer from Bournemouth University, confirmed this with detailed analysis, reconstructing the sky as it appeared 5,000 years ago. He concluded that the alignment was "exactly, exactly right" for both summer solstice sunrise and winter solstice sunset.
Insights into Prehistoric Life and Beliefs
The discovery of the post holes occurred a decade ago during ground clearance for new army housing, but the detailed analysis confirming the celestial alignment has only recently been completed. The numerous artifacts found in surrounding holes, including an antler tool, carved animal bones, decorated pottery fragments, and a rare discoidal flint knife, were crucial for dating the site using radiocarbon methods.
Harding highlighted the exceptional craftsmanship of the discoidal flint knife, suggesting it might have held symbolic significance, possibly relating to the Sun due to its rounded shape.
The Bulford monument's age corresponds with the earliest activities at Stonehenge, specifically the construction of its first earthworks. Dr. Jennifer Wexler, curator of history at English Heritage, posited that the people who built the initial stages of Stonehenge might have resided or gathered seasonally at Bulford.
The ancient communities, primarily early farmers, were deeply connected to the seasons and the Sun's cycle. While today the summer solstice draws large crowds to Stonehenge, Wexler suggested that 5,000 years ago, the winter solstice held greater importance. It was a time when the dwindling light might have prompted rituals to ensure the Sun's return and the subsequent prosperity of crops and animals in spring.
Source: Simpler, older version of Stonehenge found three miles from famous site