Ancient Stonehenge Prototype Discovered Near Iconic Site

WHO:

NBC News - Archeologists are involved in the discovery of the ancient structure.

WHAT:

CNN - The structure consisted of two wooden poles placed 120 meters (394 feet) apart.

CNN - The wooden poles were placed into pits 5,000 years ago, around the same time that the first earthworks at Stonehenge were built.

CNN - Artifacts found at the site included pottery, animal bone, charcoal, and worked flints, indicating that people congregated there to celebrate the solstices.

CNN - An “extremely rare disc shaped knife” was found, possibly symbolizing the sun disc.

NBC News - An earlier and simpler version of Stonehenge has been unearthed.

BBC - The older structure predates Stonehenge by around 500 years.

BBC - The remains consist of two holes in the ground that held wooden posts.

WHERE:

NBC News - The discovery is located three miles away from the iconic Stonehenge site.

WHEN:

BBC - The wooden posts in the holes were aligned with the Sun on the summer and winter solstices.

WHY:

CNN - Phil Harding stated, “The sun was incredibly important to these prehistoric communities, and they could plot and record its midsummer rising to a high degree of accuracy.”

BBC - The alignment of the posts with the Sun suggests a similar purpose to that of Stonehenge, related to the solstices.

HOW:

CNN - Fabio Silva used reconstructions of the ancient sky, landscape, and horizon to demonstrate the alignment of the poles with the solstices.

BBC - The structure's design indicates it was used to mark the longest and shortest days of the year, similar to Stonehenge.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 19:48 UTC)

Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkable structure consisting of two wooden poles placed 120 meters apart, dating back about 5,000 years, around the same time the first earthworks at Stonehenge were constructed. Artifacts found at the site, including pottery, animal bones, charcoal, and an extremely rare disc-shaped knife, suggest that this location was significant for prehistoric communities who gathered to celebrate the solstices. Phil Harding noted that the sun played a crucial role in their lives, and Fabio Silva demonstrated how the alignment of the poles corresponded with the solstices using reconstructions of the ancient sky and landscape.

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(UPDATED June 18, 2026 18:05 UTC)

Archeologists have uncovered an earlier and simpler version of Stonehenge, located just three miles from the iconic site. This ancient structure, which predates Stonehenge by about 500 years, consists of two holes in the ground that once held wooden posts aligned with the Sun during the summer and winter solstices. The design of this structure suggests it was used for similar purposes as Stonehenge, marking the longest and shortest days of the year.