Archaeologists from Time Team, working alongside Forestry England, found a 3,700-year-old stone circle on Farley Moor in Derbyshire.
Previously thought to be a solitary marker, the two-meter-high standing stone at Farley Moor is now recognized as part of a larger stone circle with a ceremonial platform. Excavations by Time Team uncovered this platform adjacent to the stone, strategically positioned above a natural spring, indicating continuous ritual use of the site over hundreds of years.
The stone circle measures approximately 25 meters by 23 meters. It originally featured six standing stones, with five additional stones forming a circular arrangement.
Standing at two meters tall and half a meter wide, the Farley Moor stone is the third largest of its kind in the Gritstone Moors, which span the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales.
Carbon dating confirmed that this prehistoric feature dates back to around 1,700 BCE, placing it within a broader context of ceremonial monuments prevalent during the second and third millennia BCE.
"Working on such a significant prehistoric monument is a dream come true," said Dr. Derek Pitman, an Associate Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Bournemouth University, according to arkeonews.net. Pitman emphasized the impact of Bronze Age ritual life in the landscape, extending beyond well-known sites like Stonehenge.
"This project also showcases the value of investigating sites that have been hidden in the nation's forests for the last few decades and implies a wealth of archaeology still waiting to be explored," Pitman added, according to HeritageDaily. "We often celebrate our forested landscapes for their natural beauty and environmental importance, but they also contain some of the most extraordinary historical sites, landmarks, and stories in England," said his colleague, Dr. Laurence Shaw.
The discovery of the Farley Moor stone circle adds to an increasing list of Bronze Age stone circles in the Peak District, which now totals 25 documented sites.
The Peak District is dotted with other ancient monuments, including burial mounds, henges, and rock art, which collectively paint a picture of a vibrant prehistoric landscape. Among these, the Arbor Low stone circle stands out as one of the most important, featuring a large circular earthwork and a series of standing stones that hint at its ceremonial use. The nearby Nine Ladies stone circle, located on Stanton Moor, is renowned for its picturesque setting and historical importance, drawing visitors and researchers alike.
A comprehensive landscape survey suggests there may be many more undiscovered prehistoric monuments in the vicinity of the Farley Moor site.
The Farley Moor site is located at the headwaters of Bentley Brook, a tributary of the River Derwent.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
