Jude Winter reported from Derby for BBC News about a recent archaeological discovery that has shed new light on a site believed to date back 3,700 years to the Bronze Age. This find was made in Farley Wood near Matlock, Derbyshire, where what was previously thought to be a single standing stone turned out to be part of a larger ceremonial complex. The excavation was carried out by Forestry England in collaboration with the archaeology series Time Team.
Initially believed to be an isolated monument, the 2m (6.6ft) tall Farley Moor standing stone was found to have more to it than meets the eye. Further investigations uncovered evidence of a ceremonial platform adjacent to the stone, indicating that there were originally five more stones in the vicinity that would have formed a circle. The discovery has significantly altered the understanding of this site, according to Dr. Lawrence Shaw, Forestry England’s lead historic environment adviser.
Dr. Shaw emphasized the importance of the discovery, stating that the stone platform predates the standing stone and suggests a long history of continuous ritual practices at the site. He highlighted the significance of the natural spring that the main stone was intentionally positioned above, indicating a strong connection to the Bronze Age communities’ reverence for water. The findings will be featured in an upcoming episode of Time Team’s YouTube channel.
The stone circle discovered in Farley Wood is believed to be one of 25 others in the Peak District, adding to the rich archaeological landscape of the region. The team of archaeologists involved in the excavation expressed their excitement at the opportunity to study such a significant prehistoric monument. Plans are in place for a more detailed investigation next summer, aiming to uncover the site’s origins and the extent of the larger ritual complex it is part of
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