A prehistoric burial site in Dorset is now thought to be the earliest known large circular enclosure in Britain prompting researchers to question whether current dating of Stonehenge may need revising.
The Flagstones monument, near Dorchester in Dorset, has been re-dated to about 3200BC, approximately two centuries earlier than previously thought, following analysis by the University of Exeter and Historic England.
The archaeologists used advanced radiocarbon analysis to examine some of the finds, including human remains, red deer antlers and charcoal.
Dr Susan Greaney, archaeologist from the University of Exeter and author of the study published in the Antiquity journal, said: “The chronology of Flagstones is essential for understanding the changing sequence of ceremonial and funeral monuments in Britain.
“The ‘sister’ monument to Flagstones is Stonehenge, whose first phase is almost identical, but it dates to around 2900BC.
“Could Stonehenge have been a copy of Flagstones? Or do these findings suggest our current dating of Stonehenge might need revision?”