Archaeologists have made a ground-breaking discovery in Farley Wood, near Matlock in Derbyshire, revealing that what was previously thought to be a solitary standing stone is part of a larger ceremonial site dating back 3,700 years to the Bronze Age.
This significant finding emerged from excavations conducted by Forestry England in collaboration with the archaeology program Time Team.
The Farley Moor standing stone, measuring 2 meters (6.6 feet) tall, was initially regarded as an isolated monument. However, recent excavations uncovered evidence of a ceremonial platform beside the stone and identified five additional stones that would have formed a circle, stretching approximately 25 meters by 23 meters.
As reported by the BBC, Dr. Lawrence Shaw, the lead historic environment adviser for Forestry England, described the discovery as “hugely significant,” stating it transforms our understanding of the site and highlights a more complex ceremonial landscape linked to water sources important for Bronze Age communities.
Dr. Shaw noted that the main stone was intentionally placed above a natural spring, indicating its significance in ancient rituals.
“What we’ve uncovered is evidence of a much more complex ceremonial landscape,” he explained, highlighting the continuous ritual use of the site over centuries.
Local archaeology enthusiast George Bird had long speculated that the standing stone might be part of a larger monument, prompting the investigation that led to this discovery. The archaeological team plans to return next summer for further exploration to determine when the site was first established and to assess the overall size of the larger ritual complex.
Dr. Derek Pitman, an associate professor of archaeology and anthropology at Bournemouth University, said he was excited about working on such a notable prehistoric monument.
He said the discovery underscores the significance of Bronze Age ritual life beyond well-known sites like Stonehenge.
Forestry England has committed to protecting and managing the area as if it were a scheduled monument to ensure its preservation for future generations. The full story of this remarkable discovery will be featured in an episode airing on Time Team’s YouTube channel on Saturday, March 22.
You must be logged in to post a comment.