Advanced satellite technology has uncovered a network of 28 previously unknown ancient stone circles surrounding the famous Rujm el-Hiri monument in the Golan Heights, according to new research from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
The breakthrough study, released last week in PLOS One journal, overturns decades of thinking about the prehistoric site commonly known as “Israel’s Stonehenge.” Rather than standing as a solitary structure, the research shows Rujm el-Hiri served as the centerpiece of an extensive regional network of similar monuments.
Scientists used cutting-edge satellite imaging and remote sensing equipment to survey hard-to-reach areas across different seasons and lighting conditions. The technology allowed them to spot field walls, enclosures, and circular formations that had never been recorded before.
“By combining satellite imagery and environmental analysis, Rujm el-Hiri—once perceived as an almost isolated monument—is revealed as the most impressive and magnificent example of a regional phenomenon,” explained Dr. Michal Birkenfeld from Ben-Gurion University’s Department of Archaeology. “These circles, identified through remote sensing and contextualized through geophysical data, invite a reinterpretation of significant proto-historic monuments in the region, recognizing them as integral parts of broader social and economic systems.”
Co-researcher Prof. Lev Appelbaum from Tel Aviv University and Azerbaijan University noted the potential for future discoveries. “The territory of Israel still contains many archeological secrets, which can be revealed through integrated analysis using advance Remote Sensing, surface geophysical methods, and tectonic-morphological methodologies,” he stated.
The newly discovered stone circles display remarkable similarities, featuring circular designs typically spanning more than 50 meters across and built using local basalt rocks. Many contain internal dividing walls and sit close to seasonal water sources.
According to the research team, the positioning and architecture of these circles indicate they played important roles in ancient farming and herding communities, potentially functioning as meeting places, boundary markers, or seasonal gathering spots.
“Our analysis may have implications for previous interpretations of Rujm el-Hiri’s function,” Birkenfeld added. “While traditional archaeological methods remain essential, this landscape-based perspective allows us to reach a fuller understanding of these monuments within our shared human past.”
