Archeologists have unearthed 4,600-years old remains of largest Neolithic village near the ancient stone monument of Stonehenge in south-west
England. New excavations have discovered hearths, timbers and other remains of what archaeologists say was probably the village of workers.
It is believed that these riuns, discovered at Durrington Walls, were built in the same period that Stonehenge. It is being presumed that builders of Stonehenge might have dwelt here.
The site was presumably constructed to perform ritual rites that consist of temple, burial ground or an astronomy site, and only less than two miles away from Stonehenge.
The houses are measured about five-meters square. Excavations unearthed dozens of hearths, and outlines of box beds and wooden dressers or cupboards and 4600-year-old debris. Apart from this, animal bones and burnt stones were also found at Durrington Walls.
Mike Parker Pearson, a professor of archaeology at Sheffield University said:
We think our discovery is very significant for understanding the purpose of Stonehenge. What we have revealed is that Stonehenge is one half of a larger complex.
Scientists believe that Neolithic people met at Durrington Walls for massive feasts and parties while Stonehenge was a memorial or burial site for the dead. Visitors are drawn to Stonehenge throughout the year and after these new excavations, which can unravel many mysteries in future, the number is expected to mount very rapidly.
Via: BBC
