Researchers discover dozens of ancient stone circles near Rujm el-hiri

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev identified 28 large circular stone structures near the Rujm el-Hiri monument in the region surrounding the Sea of Galilee.

The researchers used high-resolution satellite imagery taken between 2004 and 2024 to find these structures. Most of these circular formations were previously undocumented.

The new findings suggest that the 5,000-year-old Rujm el-Hiri monument, which spans 492 feet in diameter, was not a unique architectural anomaly but part of a widespread building tradition. The newly discovered circles feature thick basalt walls arranged in concentric circles, with some diameters reaching up to 250 meters. One specific structure, called Circle 9, surrounds a small volcanic cone.

The researchers noted that these monuments often sit near seasonal streams and are integrated into ancient networks of field walls and enclosures. These locations might suggest the sites served communities involved in farming, livestock, or seasonal gatherings. The discovery also challenges previous theories about the purpose of Rujm el-Hiri. Geological reconstructions show the site has rotated and shifted over millennia due to tectonic plate movements of 0.3 to 0.6 inches per year.

This movement makes it difficult to prove the monument functioned as an astronomical observatory. Because the structures appear to be part of a common regional tradition, their layout may reflect cultural practices rather than a singular effort to track the stars.