Archaeological discoveries continue to reshape our understanding of ancient Britain, with recent findings at Flagstones in Dorset challenging the timeline of ceremonial sites. New radiocarbon dating reveals this circular enclosure predates Stonehenge by approximately 300 years, making it potentially Britain’s earliest large circular monument. This groundbreaking research by experts from the University of Exeter and Historic England opens new perspectives on prehistoric burial practices and ceremonial traditions.
Revolutionary discovery in British prehistory
The burial site at Flagstones in Dorset has recently undergone extensive radiocarbon analysis that has yielded remarkable results. Previously believed to date from around 3000 B.C.E., new scientific dating methods have established its origin at approximately 3200 B.C.E. This significant revision positions Flagstones as potentially the earliest known large circular enclosure in Britain, predating the first phase of Stonehenge by several centuries.
Located along the English Channel, this prehistoric site features a perfectly circular ditched enclosure spanning more than 300 feet in diameter. The distinctive circular formation contains numerous burials and cremations, presenting characteristics that bridge earlier causewayed enclosures and later henge monuments. This unique combination of features has intrigued archaeologists studying Britain’s Neolithic period.
Susan Greaney, a specialist in Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments from Exeter’s department of archaeology and history, emphasizes the site’s unusual nature and its chronological significance. The revised dating places Flagstones in an earlier period than initially expected, fundamentally altering our understanding of prehistoric monument development in Britain.
The research published in the journal Antiquity involved collaboration with laboratories at ETH Zürich and the University of Groningen for precise carbon dating. This methodical approach has established a clear timeline of the site’s development:
- Initial activity with pit digging began around 3650 B.C.E.
- The distinctive circular ditched enclosure was created approximately 3200 B.C.E.
- Burials were placed within the enclosure during this same period
- A young man was buried under a large stone nearly a millennium later
Flagstones and its relationship to Stonehenge
The proximity between Flagstones and Stonehenge – merely 45 miles northeast – raises fascinating questions about their potential connections. Researchers have observed striking similarities between the first phase of Stonehenge and the Flagstones enclosure, despite their temporal separation. This unexpected parallel suggests possible direct influence between the sites, with Flagstones potentially serving as a prototype for the more famous monument.
Greaney poses critical questions about this relationship: “Could Stonehenge have been a copy of Flagstones? Or do these findings suggest our current dating of Stonehenge might need revision?” These inquiries highlight how the Flagstones chronology has become essential for understanding the evolving sequence of ceremonial and funeral monuments across prehistoric Britain.
The table below compares key features of both ancient sites:
| Feature | Flagstones | Stonehenge (First Phase) |
|---|---|---|
| Dating | c. 3200 B.C.E. | c. 2900 B.C.E. |
| Structure | Circular ditched enclosure | Circular ditched enclosure |
| Function | Burial/ceremonial | Burial/ceremonial |
| Location | Dorset | Wiltshire |
The uncovering of an ancient burial tradition
Flagstones remained hidden until roadwork in the 1980s led to its unexpected discovery. Construction crews building the Dorchester bypass unearthed half of the circular monument, while the remaining portion extends beneath Max Gate, the former residence of acclaimed English author Thomas Hardy. This partial excavation has still provided sufficient material for comprehensive analysis.
The radiocarbon analysis examined various artifacts including charcoal, red deer antlers, and human remains found within the site. These diverse materials have helped establish a consistent chronology for the monument’s creation and use. The presence of human remains confirms Flagstones’ primary function as a burial site, though likely with additional ceremonial significance.
Particularly intriguing is the discovery of a young man buried under a substantial stone approximately one thousand years after the enclosure’s creation. This indicates the site maintained cultural or spiritual significance across multiple generations and cultural transitions. Such continued reverence for ancient monuments appears to be a recurring pattern in prehistoric Britain.
The site’s investigation represents a collaborative effort between academic researchers and Historic England, the government body responsible for protecting historic sites. Peter Marshall, formerly coordinator of scientific dating at Historic England, played a crucial role alongside Greaney in establishing the new chronology.
Rewriting the archaeological timeline
The redating of Flagstones has broader implications for understanding Britain’s prehistoric development. Establishing this circular enclosure as predating Stonehenge challenges conventional narratives about the evolution of ceremonial sites in ancient Britain. Archaeologists must now reconsider the sequence of monument development and cultural practices from the Neolithic period.
This discovery emphasizes the importance of revisiting established archaeological timelines using modern scientific methods. Advanced radiocarbon dating techniques continue to refine our understanding of prehistory, sometimes dramatically altering previously accepted chronologies. The Flagstones findings demonstrate how contemporary research can transform archaeological narratives that have persisted for decades.
As research continues, archaeologists hope to establish clearer connections between Flagstones and other contemporary sites across Britain and Europe. Understanding these relationships will provide deeper insights into how prehistoric communities exchanged ideas, cultural practices, and funeral traditions across significant distances.
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