Researchers find Britain's largest prehistoric structure near Stonehenge

Researchers from the University of Bradford and the University of St. Andrews identified a massive prehistoric structure near the Durrington Walls site in Kent, England.

The discovery consists of a large circle of 16 deep pits that surround the ancient monument. These pits were cut through chalk and Thanet Sand to form a symmetrical layout that expands the known boundaries of the archaeological complex.

Scientists used underground scanning and environmental testing to confirm that people intentionally constructed the pits over 4,000 years ago. Dating techniques revealed that the community dug and refilled the pits around 2480 B.C. during the late Stone Age. Tim Kinnaird from the University of St. Andrews noted that the soil analysis shows consistent sediments, which suggests the work happened quickly under organized leadership. The pits provide clues about the prehistoric environment because they contain traces of ancient plants and animals.

Richard Bates from the University of St. Andrews stated that the precise alignment of the pits across such a wide area required advanced surveying skills. The discovery shows that Neolithic communities had the social organization and resources to manage complex building projects.