Yorkshire scientists dig deep for secrets of Stonehenge

Experts from York and Sheffield universities are involved in a three-year study beginning next month to learn more about the world-famous stone circle in Wiltshire.

While the exact origins and use of Stonehenge have been lost down the centuries, it is hoped the new study will provide a fascinating glimpse into its past.

One theory that academics will be exploring is that the site attracted visitors from across Britain for the winter solstice – not dissimilar to the pilgrimages made by music fans for the Glastonbury Festival held in neighbouring Somerset in the summer.

Initial chemical analysis of cattle teeth found near Stonehenge has suggested the animals were raised hundreds of miles away before being walked to Durrington Walls for slaughter and consumption.

The new project has been dubbed Feeding Stonehenge, a follow-up to the earlier Stonehenge Riverside study which saw a wealth of artefacts excavated from the nearby Durrington Walls.

The next stage of the research involves the analysis of the finds, including pottery, stone tools and animal bones, to shed new light on the people who built and visited Stonehenge.

Dr Oliver Craig, from York University's department of archaeology, is among the academics working on the latest phase of research and has been tasked with analysing the pottery which has been unearthed.

He said: "This research will allow us to gauge Stonehenge's significance in the third millennium BC and the extent of its sphere of influence.

"Earlier investigations have made huge inroads into our understanding of what is one of the world's most important prehistoric monuments, but many questions remain unanswered.

"The next stage will focus on how the people who built Stonehenge lived, what they ate, when the monument was visited and where the visitors came from."

The study, which will be funded by an 800,000 grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), is aiming to establish what the pottery unearthed at the site was used for by conducting chemical analysis of any organic residues.

Pottery was used for domestic as well as ceremonial activities, but it is not known what types of foods were prepared for these different activities.

The Feeding Stonehenge research is being led by Prof Mike Parker Pearson from Sheffield University, who will be working alongside Dr Craig.

He said: "The Stonehenge Riverside Project results were well beyond anyone's expectations, archaeologists and general public alike. It has allowed us to completely re-write the story of Stonehenge.

"One of the unforeseen outcomes is the vast quantity of new material – flint tools, animal bones, pottery, plant remains, survey data, and chemical samples - which now needs analysing.

"The new grant from the AHRC allows us to get the maximum information out of this unexpected wealth of remains."

He added: "We are going to know so much about the lives of the people who built Stonehenge – how they lived, what they ate, where they came from."

The archaeologists are also aiming to gain a better understanding of the dressing of the sarsen stones.

Dr Umberto Albarella from Sheffield University and Dr Jane Evans from the NERC British Geological Survey, are also involved in the study.

MORE THAN 5,000 YEARS OF HISTORY

Stonehenge is seen as perhaps the most important prehistoric monument in Britain and has attracted visitors since its creation back in 3,100BC.

Theories as to why Stonehenge was built range from human sacrifice to astronomy, and it is thought that the sacred site in Wiltshire was constructed in three phases which required more than 30 million hours of labour.

The henge that is visible today is the final stage of the development at the site that was completed about 3,500 years ago.