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A new discovery near Stonehenge represents the earliest known solstice alignment in this ancient landscape.
The find, which is being described as a potential ‘prototype’ for the iconic megalithic monument, was unearthed during excavations carried out in 2015-2017 by Wessex Archaeology at Bulford, Wiltshire, as part of the Ministry of Defence’s Army Basing Programme. At the site 5km from Stonehenge, archaeologists led by Dr Phil Harding uncovered a series of 48 pits spread across the crest of a hill. These features, which have been radiocarbon dated to c.2950 BC, were filled with items believed to be waste from large Late Neolithic gatherings or feasting events, including Grooved Ware pottery, animal bones, charcoal, and worked flint, as well as a few more unusual finds such as a disc-shaped flint knife.
However, two pits stood out from the others: researchers believe they once held tall timber poles. These wooden posts were located 120m apart and appeared to be arranged to form a direct line pointing to the sunrise during the summer solstice and the sunset during the winter solstice. This orientation has now been confirmed by skyscape archaeologist Dr Fabio Silva, who combined a variety of methods to demonstrate how the structure would have aligned with the solstices to within one degree of accuracy.
This simple wooden construction, made possible by an impressive feat of astronomical engineering, is thought to have made the site a focus of large religious gatherings connected to solstice celebrations centuries before more complex, permanent structures were created nearby. The discovery at Bulford is contemporary with the earliest earthworks at Stonehenge but pre-dates the famous stones by 500 years. It has been suggested that a similar timber construction could have been present at Stonehenge in this period, but all potential traces have been erased by later work at the site.
Reflecting on the significance of the structure at Bulford, Dr Silva said ‘This discovery helps us understand Stonehenge not as a singular creation, but as part of a much longer conversation between people, the land, and the sky.’
Look out for more information on the discovery in issue 438 of our sister magazine Current Archaeology.
Text: Amy Brunskill / Image: Marijane Porter, Wessex Archaeology
