Table of Contents

  1. Mysterious Holes Near Stonehenge
  2. Details of the Structure
  3. Scientific Findings
  4. How Did the Stones Get There?

EXPERTS have revealed the secrets behind the enormous mysterious holes discovered near Stonehenge.

This could be one of the largest prehistoric structures in Britain.

Stonehenge circle of stones in the early morning light.The unusual holes were found within the Stonehenge World Heritage SiteCredit: Getty Two people conducting field tests in a dry, open field with specialized equipment for soil sampling.Experts have advanced beyond mapping to determine if the ring is natural or man-madeCredit: Internet Archaeology Journal Map of archaeological pit features in the Durrington Walls and Woodhenge area, including confirmed and unconfirmed features.The pits are scattered around Durrington Walls and WoodhengeCredit: Ordnance Survey

The massive pits are arranged in a circle over two kilometers wide, encircling the historic Durrington Walls and Woodhenge.

At least 16 of these pits have been identified.

Each pit measures up to ten meters in diameter and five meters in depth.

They were initially uncovered in 2020, and scientists have been working to learn more about them ever since.

Archaeologists have progressed beyond merely mapping the holes.

Utilizing advanced technology, they have confirmed that the structure was created by humans.

Each pit was meticulously dug and subsequently filled.

“The skill and effort required not only to excavate the pits but also to position them so accurately within the landscape is astonishing,” stated Professor Richard Bates from the University of St Andrews, who participated in the project.

“Considering that the pits are spread over such a vast area, the fact that they are arranged in a near-perfect circular formation is truly remarkable.”

Scientists have also determined the age of these pits.

The evidence suggests that the pits date back over 4,000 years.

Regarding their purpose, it is believed that the ring may have acted as a boundary to enclose a sacred area associated with the henge.

Experts from St Andrews, Birmingham, Warwick, Bradford, Glasgow, and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David contributed to the research.

“The recent findings confirm that the circle of shafts surrounding Durrington Walls is unprecedented in the UK,” remarked Professor Vince Gaffney, lead archaeologist from the University of Bradford.

“These features were not merely excavated and left; they were part of a structured, monumental landscape that reflects the complexity and sophistication of Neolithic society.”

How Did the Stones Get There?

This question has perplexed researchers for centuries.

There are two types of stone at Stonehenge – the larger sarsen stones and the smaller ‘bluestones’.

The sarsens weigh approximately 25 tons each, with the largest stone, the Heel Stone, weighing about 30 tons.

The most widely accepted theory posits that the stones were transported into place using plant fiber ropes and a wooden A-frame.

An alternative theory, inspired by the rock heads of Easter Island, suggests that the Stonehenge slabs were rocked back and forth using levers.

What are the mysterious holes near Stonehenge?

The mysterious holes are large pits arranged in a circular formation around Durrington Walls and Woodhenge, believed to be part of a prehistoric structure created by humans over 4,000 years ago.

How were the stones at Stonehenge transported?

The stones were likely moved using plant fiber ropes and wooden A-frames, or alternatively, they may have been rocked back and forth using levers, similar to the methods used for transporting the rock heads on Easter Island.