New Stone Circle Found Near Stonehenge

by amyellensoden | October 7, 2009 at 08:30 am

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A new stone circle has been discovered by archaeologists near Stonehenge. The discovery of this circle lends support to the theory that Stonehenge was originally part of a funeral complex.

Joshua Pollard, an archaeologist from the University of Bristol sees this discovery as something that will establish Stonehenge as part of an even bigger ceremonial complex.

"No one could have predicted there was another stone circle so close by," said Pollard, co-director of the excavation project that began in 2004.

This, he said, changes the perception of the popular tourist destination 90 miles west of London.

The new find, dubbed "Bluestonehenge" after the color of the 25 Welsh stones of which it was once composed, sits along the Avon a mile away from its famous sister circle, Pollard said.

Bluestonehenge was named after the 25 Welsh stones from which it was once made of. It is located along the Avon a mile away from its sister formation.

Congregations at Bluestonehenge would have been for such occasions as the winter solstice. Funeral processions would take place as remains of the dead would be carried from Bluestonehenge to a Stonehenge cemetery.