Broadlea henge facts for kids

Broadlea henge is an ancient monument found in Middlebie, a place in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It was built a very long time ago, either during the Neolithic period (New Stone Age) or the Bronze Age. This makes it thousands of years old!

Broadlea henge is special because there are not many henge monuments in southern Scotland. Another one is Pict's Knowe, which is much smaller.

What is Broadlea Henge?

A henge is a special type of ancient monument. It is usually a circular area that is enclosed by a ditch and an outer bank. Think of it like a big, round fence made of earth. People in the past used henges for important ceremonies or gatherings.

How Broadlea Henge is Different

Broadlea henge is known as a Class II henge. This means it has two entrances, like two doorways into the circular area. Pict's Knowe, on the other hand, is a Class I henge, which means it only has one entrance.

Broadlea henge is quite large! The area inside its ditch measures about 50 meters (about 164 feet) by 45 meters (about 148 feet). The ditch itself can be as wide as 10 meters (about 33 feet). Over many years, the banks around the henge have become flatter, but in some places, they are still about four feet high.

Broadlea and the Romans

Broadlea henge is located on a hill overlooking the Mein Water valley. On the other side of this valley, you can find the remains of a Roman fort called Birrens.

Interestingly, when experts looked at old aerial photographs of the area, they found something amazing. They saw not only the henge but also signs of a Roman marching camp. A marching camp was a temporary fort built by Roman soldiers when they were on the move. The ditch of this Roman camp actually passes right through the north-west entrance of the henge and comes out through the south-east entrance. This shows that the Romans used the area long after the henge was built.

Protecting Broadlea Henge

Broadlea henge is a very important historical site. Because of this, it is protected as a "scheduled monument". This means it is recognized by the government as a nationally important archaeological site. It is protected by law so that it can be preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy. The official name for its protection is "Birrens to Broadlee, Roman forts & camps & henge."