Nearby hillside reveals a Neolithic 'prototype' of Stonehenge, researchers say

Archaeologists have unearthed a nearby early version of Stonehenge on a hillside a few miles from the iconic monument. Excavations conducted 2015–2017 and years of analysis suggest it was a precursor to Stonehenge, shedding light on the late-Neolithic ceremonial landscape and offering context for why the famous circle was built. The discovery comes as scholars discuss Stonehenge’s possible purposes, with sunrise-ritual implications noted, and broader public interest remains high in the area near Bulford and Salisbury Plain.