Exciting Discoveries at Arthur's Stone

Exciting new excavations at Arthur's Stone, an ancient Neolithic burial site perched above the picturesque Golden Valley in Herefordshire, have unveiled a remarkable find: a potential stone circle measuring approximately 65.5 feet (20 meters) in diameter, dating back around 5,500 years.

Collaboration and Excavation

This fascinating site is notable not only for its iconic stone formation—an intricately designed burial chamber—but also for its layered history that has been gradually excavated by a collaborative team from the University of Manchester, Cardiff University, and the American Institute for Field Research, all working in conjunction with English Heritage.

Historical Significance

Originally, Arthur's Stone was known for its complex phases of development, which included a turf mound with a timber avenue that was later transformed into stone, a dolmen chamber encircled by an oval stone bank, as well as a long cairn and passage. During recent investigations, the team identified a circular structure located about 70 meters southwest of the main site, initially detected through an advanced multispectral drone survey carried out by SUMO Geophysics.

Further Investigations

While initial theories proposed that the circular feature might be the remnants of a Bronze Age barrow, further excavation revealed a series of sockets likely intended to hold upright stones, with one stone's base still intact. Although specific dating is ongoing, preliminary assessments suggest that this newly discovered stone circle may be several centuries younger than the prominent Arthur's Stone.

First Confirmed Example

Professor Julian Thomas, from the University of Manchester, has labeled this stone circle as the first confirmed example of its kind in Herefordshire, with another possible stone circle identified in Longtown. Interestingly, the Queen Stone near Symonds Yat might have originally been part of a human-made stone arrangement as well.

Explorations Beyond the Stone Circle

Beyond this intriguing find, further explorations southeast of Arthur's Stone have uncovered additional prehistoric structures, including potential post and stake-holes, which shine a light on the intricate landscape that once surrounded this important monument. Professor Thomas draws an interesting parallel with Dorstone Hill, located on a neighboring hilltop, which features a distinctive arrangement of three burnt timber halls, long barrows, and a causewayed enclosure.

Questions for the Future

The discovery raises compelling questions: Should these two sites be understood as separate entities, or do they represent interconnected monumental landscapes? Is it possible that the Arthur's Stone and Dorstone Hill complexes were once in competition with each other in the distant past? As research continues, the answers to these questions could reshape our understanding of the social and spiritual dynamics of Neolithic communities in the region.

Stay Tuned for Updates

Stay tuned for more groundbreaking updates as archaeologists delve further into this captivating slice of history!