About a mile from the famous Stonehenge monument, a similar but slightly smaller stone circle has been discovered. This was announced by researchers from the University of Sheffield last weekend.
The circle has a diameter of 10 meters and is surrounded by an earthen wall. Archaeologists are still in the dark about dating. C14 dating of deer antlers found in the circle could provide more information on this. The dating of the circle is currently estimated to be between 3000 and 2400 BC, so about 5000 years old.
The stones themselves have since disappeared, but Dolerite stone remains have been found in the 27 holes of the new circle. The new circle is therefore called 'Bluehenge', because of the bluish color of the Dolerite stones that probably stood in the holes. Some of the stones that make up Stonehenge are also from Dolerite. It is possible that the Bluehenge stones were reused at a later time to expand Stonehenge.
Stonehenge is a prehistoric structure in southern England consisting of a circular earth wall. Within this is a circle built of huge standing stones. Stonehenge was built about 2300 BC. Scientists still disagree about the function of Stonehenge. One theory is that it is an astronomical calendar. Another example is that Stonehenge used to be a ritual sacred place where important religious events took place.
The researchers suspect that Bluehenge was connected to Stonehenge by a path that led from the River Avon to Stonehenge as its terminus. “Stonehenge and Bluehenge should therefore not be seen in isolation, but as part of a larger whole”, conclude the archaeologists from the University of Sheffield.
The lack of pottery, animal bones, food remains, and flint tools is an indication that no habitation has taken place. At Stonehenge, on the other hand, many cremated remains have been found. This gives rise to the theory that the River Avon connected the 'domain of the living' - marked by archaeological finds of Neolithic houses upstream - with the 'domain of the dead', marked by Stonehenge and Bluehenge. The function of Bluehenge in itself is not yet entirely clear to the researchers, but it may have had a ritual function. Professor Mike Parker Pearson of the University of Sheffield suggests that Bluehenge may have been the place where people were cremated, and that their remains were eventually buried at Stonehenge.
The researchers are expected to provide more details about Bluehenge in February.
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