Woodhenge facts for kids
Concrete pillars marking Woodhenge's postholes
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Map showing Woodhenge and Durrington Walls within the Stonehenge section of the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site
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| Location | OS SU150434 |
|---|---|
| Region | Wiltshire |
| Coordinates | 51°11′22″N 1°47′09″W / 51.1894°N 1.78576°W |
| Type | henge |
| History | |
| Periods | Neolithic |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1926-8 |
| Archaeologists | Ben and Maud Cunnington |
| Condition | feint earthworks, concrete posts |
| Public access | Yes |
| Website | English Heritage |
| Designated | 1986 |
| Reference no. | 373 |
| Designated | 1929 |
| Reference no. | 1009133 |
Woodhenge is an ancient monument made of wood. It is located near the famous Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England. This site is part of the UNESCO Stonehenge World Heritage Site. It was built a very long time ago, during the Neolithic period, also known as the New Stone Age.
Contents
Discovering Woodhenge
How Was Woodhenge Found?
Woodhenge was discovered in 1925. It was found during an aerial archaeology survey. This means archaeologists flew over the area. They took pictures from the air. These pictures showed patterns in the ground. These patterns hinted at a hidden structure.
When Was Woodhenge Built?
Experts believe Woodhenge was built during the time of the Beaker culture. This period was at the end of the Neolithic Age. It also stretched into the early Bronze Age in Britain.
The ditch around Woodhenge was dug between 2470 and 2000 BC. This was around the same time as Stonehenge was built. The wooden monument itself was likely built even earlier. Tools and other items found show the site was still used around 1800 BC.
What Did Woodhenge Look Like?
The Structure of Woodhenge
Woodhenge has six oval rings of holes. These holes once held large wooden posts. The outermost ring is about 43 by 40 meters (141 by 131 feet) wide.
Around these rings is a flat-bottomed ditch. This ditch is 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) deep. It is also up to 12 meters (39 feet) wide. Beyond the ditch is an outer bank. This bank is about 10 meters (33 feet) wide and 1 meter (3.3 feet) high. The entire site measures 110 meters (360 feet) across. It has one entrance, which faces the northeast.
What Was Found Inside?
In the center of the rings, archaeologists found the remains of a child. The child was buried in a crouched position. The archaeologists who found it, Ben and Maud Cunnington, thought it might have been a special offering. Sadly, these remains were later lost during a war.
Another burial was found in the ditch. This was the crouched burial of a teenager. It was located in the eastern part of the ditch. This was right across from the entrance.
The Wooden Posts
Most of the 168 post holes held wooden posts. However, there is also evidence of standing stones. A few stones might have been placed between the second and third rings. More recent digs in 2006 found at least five standing stones. They were arranged in a "cove" shape.
The deepest post holes were up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) deep. These holes likely held very tall posts. Some posts may have reached 7.5 meters (25 feet) above the ground. These large posts could have weighed up to 5 tons. Their arrangement was similar to the bluestones at Stonehenge. Today, concrete posts mark where the original wooden posts stood. This helps visitors see the layout of the ancient site.
Woodhenge and Stonehenge: Similarities
Archaeologists quickly noticed how similar Woodhenge was to Stonehenge. Both sites have entrances that face the midsummer sunrise. This suggests they were used for observing the sun. Also, the sizes of the timber circles at Woodhenge are similar to the stone circles at Stonehenge.
Studies have also shown that Woodhenge might be aligned with the moon. This was discovered by looking at old plans of the site. A GPS survey in 2008 confirmed this idea.
Connecting Woodhenge to Other Ancient Sites
The Southern Circle
About 40 years after Woodhenge was found, another timber circle was discovered. This happened in 1966. It was called the Southern Circle. It is inside the Durrington Walls henge enclosure. This new circle is only 70 meters (230 feet) north of Woodhenge.
It is thought that the timbers at these sites stood freely. They were likely not part of a building with a roof. For many years, Stonehenge got most of the attention. Now, the Stonehenge Riverside Project is helping us learn more about Woodhenge.
A Bigger Picture
Some theories suggest that all these sites are connected. They might have been part of a large, planned area. Roads could have linked the structures. Natural features like the River Avon might also have been important. One idea is that using wood versus stone had a special meaning. It might have been about beliefs concerning life and death.
Images for kids
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An on-site plaque detailing the plan of the rings
See also
In Spanish: Woodhenge para niños
