Danish archeologists have unearthed a 4,000-year-old circle of wooden piles that may be linked to the iconic Stonehenge in Britain.
The discovery of 45 neolithic-era wooden pieces arranged in a circle with a diameter of approximately 30 metres (100 feet) took place during construction work on a housing estate in the town of Aars in northwestern Denmark. The wooden piles are spaced about two meters apart.
Sidsel Wahlin, a conservationist at Vesthimmerland museum in Aars, described the find as “a once in a lifetime discovery.”
Wahlin suggested that the wooden circle in Aars indicates a strong connection with the henge structures found in Britain.
The two stone circles at Stonehenge, located in southern England, are estimated to have been constructed between 3100 BC and 1600 BC.
The Danish archeologists are currently investigating the possibility of an inner circle at the Aars site.
According to Wahlin, similar timber circles associated with sun worship have been discovered on the Danish island of Bornholm. However, the circle in Aars is the first of its kind on a larger scale that can be thoroughly examined.
Prior to the wooden circle discovery, the archeologists uncovered an early Bronze Age settlement (1700-1500 BC) at the same site, which included a chieftain’s grave and a bronze sword.
The age and purpose of the wooden circle, estimated to be from around 2000 BC, are currently under detailed investigation by the team. They are also conducting a sampling exercise at the site to search for ritual deposits such as flint arrowheads and daggers.
Further exploration will focus on identifying potential connections between the region and other ancient civilizations, particularly those associated with the construction of Stonehenge. Wahlin emphasized the importance of examining pottery and graves found in the area to determine external influences.
Published – February 27, 2025 10:49 am IST
