Flagstones, a monumental site in Dorset, England, has been revealed to be the oldest known large, circular enclosure of its kind in Britain. Recent radiocarbon-dating studies indicate that the structure, built around 3200 B.C., is approximately 5,200 years old, making it older than the iconic Stonehenge. The site, located about 37 miles (60 kilometers) southwest of Stonehenge, was discovered in the 1980s during construction work for the Dorchester bypass.
The site boasts a 330-foot-wide (100 meters) circular ditch, created with intersecting pits. Half of this historic monument lies beneath the bypass, while the remaining portion is under a historical home managed by the National Trust. Artifacts found at Flagstones are preserved at the Dorset Museum.
A Discovery of Historical Significance
The recent dating efforts at Flagstones involved analyzing human remains, red deer antlers, and charcoal found at the site. These elements helped establish its timeline, confirming its status as one of Britain's earliest circular enclosures. The monument's significance is further highlighted by comparisons to other ancient structures.
Susan Greaney commented on the implications of the findings:
"With new techniques for obtaining precise radiocarbon dates, and advanced statistical methods, we can now obtain really precise estimates for when events like monument construction took place."
The study suggests that circular monuments like Flagstones were possibly influenced by practices in Ireland. During this period, people in Ireland were interring their cremated dead in circular passage tombs.
Burial Practices and Human Remains
Within Flagstones' boundaries, archaeologists uncovered compelling evidence of burial practices. A young adult male was buried under a significant sarsen stone at the center of the enclosure nearly 1,000 years after the monument's initial use. Additionally, partially cremated remains of three other adults were found elsewhere on-site.
The site's pits contain at least four sets of human remains, including a cremated adult and three children. The presence of these remains offers insights into the ceremonial and cultural significance of Flagstones during its time.
Greaney further explained the transition to circular monuments:
"It is part of a shift from predominantly rectangular or linear monuments (cursus monuments, long barrows) or irregular enclosures (causewayed enclosures) towards circular forms."
Implications for Stonehenge
The discovery raises intriguing questions about the relationship between Flagstones and Stonehenge. While Stonehenge has long been celebrated as a marvel of prehistoric architecture, these new findings suggest it may have been inspired by or even attempted to replicate earlier structures like Flagstones.
Greaney speculated on this potential connection:
"It might be that Flagstones was copied at Stonehenge, or it might be that we need to go back to our dates of Stonehenge and think again."
The study opens avenues for further research into the origins and evolution of circular monuments across Britain and Ireland. The precise dating techniques employed have not only provided clarity on Flagstones' age but also challenged previously held assumptions about Stonehenge's place in history.
