A team of archaeologists has revealed the discovery of a structure near Stonehenge in southern England that may have functioned as a kind of “prototype” for the world-famous prehistoric monument, which is estimated to be around 5,000 years old.
Researchers from the British firm Wessex Archaeology announced Thursday that the ancient structure would have featured two wooden poles positioned 120 meters — about 394 feet — apart. Crucially, the alignment of those poles would have pointed directly toward the rising sun on the summer solstice and the setting sun on the winter solstice, mirroring the same solar alignment that makes Stonehenge so remarkable.
Scientists believe this newly found structure predates Stonehenge by approximately 500 years, making it an even older example of ancient people tracking the movements of the sun.
The excavation was led by archaeologist Phil Harding, a 76-year-old who became widely recognized in the United Kingdom through his long-running work on the Channel 4 television series “Time Team.” Harding described the dig site as likely a gathering place for significant religious ceremonies. In addition to the structural evidence, the team also recovered pottery, animal bones, and a rare disc-shaped knife.
Harding reflected on the significance of the find, saying, “Opportunities like this probably only come once in a career, in a lifetime. I’m probably towards the end of my career now, but thank God I’m still in archaeology long enough to be part of this discovery, because it’s certainly the highlight of my career.”
The announcement was timed to coincide with the upcoming summer solstice, which falls this Sunday — the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Each year, thousands of people make their way to Stonehenge to mark the occasion.
Stonehenge itself stands as one of Britain’s most recognized cultural landmarks and a major tourist destination. The World Heritage Site sits on the flat expanse of Salisbury Plain and was constructed in stages beginning about 5,000 years ago. The distinctive stone circle was erected during the late Neolithic period, around 2,500 B.C.
Scholars have long debated the purpose of Stonehenge. The most widely accepted theory holds that it served as a sun-aligned temple. However, English Heritage notes that other proposed explanations include it being a coronation site for Danish kings, a druid temple, a healing center, or even an ancient astronomical tool used to predict eclipses and solar events.
The dig that led to this discovery took place at Bulford, roughly 3.1 miles from Stonehenge’s stone circle. The excavation was conducted as part of archaeological work tied to the British defense ministry’s efforts to house troops who had been relocated from Germany, where the military maintained a large presence for many years. The land surrounding Stonehenge includes one of the largest military training areas in the United Kingdom, and Bulford is home to a military barracks.
The original fieldwork was carried out between 2015 and 2017, but the results required several more years of analysis and testing before they could be formally released.
As thousands prepare to gather at Stonehenge on Sunday — many dressed as druids and pagans — Harding offered a striking reflection on the connection between past and present: “What few will realize is that 5,000 years ago on a nearby hillside overlooking modern day Bulford, people were doing the exact same thing — revering and celebrating the sunrise on Midsummer’s Day.”
