Archaeologists have discovered and analyzed a series of mysterious pits hidden near the ancient megalithic Stonehenge site, forming the largest prehistoric structure ever identified from Neolithic Britain.
The circle of pits stretches over 2 kilometers wide, surrounding Durrington Walls and Woodhenge, two other sites created by the Neolithic inhabitants of the area. Since their initial discovery in 2020, archaeologists have determined that the pits are up to 10 meters across and 5 meters deep, with further investigations reported in a recent paper in the journal Internet Archaeology.
Neolithic Britain
Although Stonehenge is the most famous Neolithic construction in Britain, it is located close to two other notable features. One is Woodhenge, a timber monument about 3 kilometers from Stonehenge, that was discovered in a 1926 aerial photograph. Evidence from the site, such as pig remains, suggests it was a place associated with vitality and living worship.
Durrington Walls, unlike Stonehenge and Woodhenge, was not a ceremonial site but a settlement. It was situated close to Woodhenge, also about 3 kilometers from Stonehenge. Excavations two decades ago uncovered seven homes, but archaeologists estimate that the site once boasted around 1,000 homes and 4,000 residents. This would have made Durrington Walls the largest settlement in Europe for a portion of its suspected 500-year occupancy.
The series of recently discovered pits, whose perimeter encircles all three sites, underscores the close link between Woodhenge and Durrington Walls.
A Mysterious ring of Ancient Pits
Initially, some of the Durrington circle pits were dismissed as natural sinkholes. However, the researchers note that the pits’ internal structures and distributions do not correspond to what would be typical of sinkholes. The team concedes that some of the pits may’ve originated as natural features that were later excavated further. Analysis of the pits’ contents suggests possible bone-derived material and quartz.
Similar networks of large pits have been discovered elsewhere in Britain in recent decades. Large-scale investigations of the British pits have revealed that they were likely not used for hunting or storage. Commonly found near bodies of water, archaeologists interpret them as having ritual significance.
Exploring a Neolithic Mystery
Discovering and mapping the holes was only the beginning, as new research explores the environment and origins of the structures. Techniques employed in the study include advanced Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating and environmental DNA (sedaDNA), along with more traditional methods such as sediment analysis, geochemistry, and borehole coring.
According to the team’s findings, Late Neolithic humans constructed the pits around the same time as Durrington Walls. Fine clay-silt layers at the bottoms of the 4.5-6.9 meter deep pits indicate that the pits were gradually infilled. The SedaDNA and soil chemistry analyses provided evidence for what types of plants grew in the area and how the pits fit into their surroundings. Notably, much of the DNA found in the infill was not from local sources.
A Deeper Understanding of Ancient Britain
“The recent work confirms that the circle of shafts surrounding Durrington Walls is without precedent within the UK,” said lead author Professor Vince Gaffney, of the University of Bradford. “These features were not simply dug and abandoned – they were part of a structured, monumental landscape that speaks to the complexity and sophistication of Neolithic society.”
The research marks a significant step away from viewing such finds as merely “mysterious holes” and toward seeing them as meaningful indicators of how ancient peoples lived. Presently, the researchers suggest that the holes marked a sacred boundary, cutting off the ceremonial activity occurring at Durrington Walls during the period.
Fundamentally, understanding the purpose of these features, their chronology, and their environment helps to sharpen our understanding of the lives of the Neolithic people of Britain.
The paper, “The Perils of Pits: Further Research at Durrington Walls Henge (2021–2025),” appeared in Internet Archaeology in November 2025.
Ryan Whalen covers science and technology for The Debrief. He holds an MA in History and a Master of Library and Information Science with a certificate in Data Science. He can be contacted at ryan@thedebrief.org, and follow him on Twitter @mdntwvlf.