Birkrigg stone circle facts for kids
Birkrigg stone circle
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 Birkrigg stone circle
Location in South Lakeland
Birkrigg stone circle
Location in Cumbria
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| Location | Ulverston |
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| Coordinates | 54°09′23″N 3°05′06″W / 54.15647°N 3.08489°W |
| Type | Stone circle |
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| Periods | Neolithic / Bronze Age |
The Birkrigg stone circle is an ancient monument found on Birkrigg Common. This common land is about two miles south of Ulverston in Cumbria, England. People sometimes call it the Druid's Temple or Druids' Circle. It was built during the Bronze Age, which means it's between 3,400 and 3,700 years old.
What it Looks Like
The Birkrigg stone circle is special because it has two rings of stones. The outer circle is about 26 meters (85 feet) wide. It is made up of 15 stones. The inner circle is smaller, about 9 meters (30 feet) wide. It has 10 stones. None of the stones are very tall. They are all less than 0.6 meters (2 feet) high.
Discoveries from Digs
Archaeologists have dug at the site to learn more about it. In 1911, they explored inside the inner circle. They found two layers of flat stones, like a paved floor. Underneath these stone layers, they discovered the remains of five cremations. Cremation is when a body is burned. Some cremations were in small holes. One was on the stones, and another was covered by an upside-down pot.
Another dig happened in 1921. During this excavation, a few small stone tools were found. The archaeologist thought these tools might have been used for ceremonies. For example, they might have been a pestle (for grinding), a palate (a surface for mixing), and a piece of red ochre (a natural pigment). This suggests the circle was a place for important rituals.
