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.
A discovery of unprecedented significance
Vince Gaffney, lead archaeologist at the University of Bradford, emphasised that no known precedent exists in the UK for pits of this size and type. These were not simply holes dug into the ground, but components of a much larger whole, reflecting the social complexity of Neolithic communities.
The uniform geochemical patterns found within the pits indicate that they filled gradually with layers of clay and silt over a long period. This confirms that after serving their original purpose, they were not refilled, but left to be slowly sealed by natural processes.
Researchers were particularly astonished by the spatial arrangement of the pits. The 16 pits form an almost perfect circle with a diameter of more than two kilometres—an achievement that would be challenging to reproduce even today using modern surveying equipment.
According to Professor Richard Bates of the University of St Andrews, the Neolithic builders applied a level of geometric knowledge that remains remarkable even in the present day.
Ritual practices may explain the secrets of Stonehenge
The researchers agree that the pits likely marked a ceremonial boundary linked to ritual activities at Durrington Walls—a function that parallels Stonehenge, which also served a sacred purpose.
This newly uncovered system is not only the largest of its kind in Britain, but also the most complex, offering exceptional insight into the social and spiritual life of the period.
The findings highlight the effectiveness of combining multiple scientific methods to interpret a single archaeological site. At the same time, the pits around Durrington Walls provide a new perspective on the secrets of Stonehenge, showing that prehistoric people were far more sophisticated and intellectually advanced than previously assumed.