The secrets of Stonehenge revealed: origins of 16 mysterious pits finally uncovered

The secrets of Stonehenge appear to be unravelling. New light has been shed on the origins of a vast circle of mysterious, enormous pits—more than two kilometres in diameter—located nearby. The discovery also offers fresh insight into the complexity of Neolithic society and its ritual practices.

Over the years, countless theories have emerged regarding the secrets of Stonehenge, as many aspects of the world-famous monument’s origins remain unclear to this day.

The area surrounding the landmark has long been a focal point for archaeological research, yet the 16 mysterious pits discovered only a few years ago have kept the scientific community intrigued for quite some time.
Now, however, researchers have reached clear conclusions: the pits are not natural formations but human-made structures whose scale and complexity cast Neolithic social organisation in an entirely new light, Popular Mechanics reports.

An extraordinary level of precision

Durrington Walls, located north of Stonehenge, is itself one of the largest prehistoric enclosed areas in Britain, covering more than a square mile.
In 2020, researchers discovered 16 pits around the site, each up to 10 metres wide and nearly 5 metres deep, forming a circle more than two kilometres across. The extraordinary size and precision were so unusual that archaeologists initially struggled to imagine they could be the result of human activity.

However, the research team—comprising archaeologists from multiple institutions—used a range of investigative methods, including sediment analysis, geochemistry and environmental DNA testing, to confirm that the pits were indeed dug by people.

Measurements indicate that all the pits were created around 2480 BC, roughly the same period in which Durrington Walls itself was built. This suggests they were the product of a coordinated construction effort carried out in a short span of time, requiring substantial resources and organisation.

• Researchers may have found the tomb of Jesus – a 2,000-year-old garden reveals its exact location