Latest news with #SidselWåhlin
Fox News
09-03-2025
- Fox News
Ancient structure used for cult 'rituals' discovered by archaeologists
Archaeologists in Northern Denmark have unearthed a "Neolithic Timber Circle" believed to have been used for rituals. The evacuation was led by the Vesthimmerlands Museum in Aars, discovering the "timber-like" structure consisting of 45 wooden posts, according to the museum's press release. The museum titled the press release "Large cult facility sees the light of day after millennia of darkness." Each post's mark is about 7 feet apart with a diameter of 100 feet. While there are no wood poles that remain standing, it is estimated that larger upright timbers stood in place. Sidsel Wåhlin, museum inspector at Vesthimmerlands Museum, said the discovery is an extraordinary find. "The Timber circle gives us valuable insight into rituals and social structures from the latter part of the Stone Age/earliest Bronze Age," Wåhlin said in a statement. The Bronze Age in Denmark covers the period of 2600 to 1600 BC. "The Timber circle is a window to the past that gives us an insight into the ceremonial and ritual activities of our ancestors," said Andreas Bo Nielsen, excavation manager of the project. The structure is said to resemble the historical landmark Stonehenge in the U.K. The purpose of the grand structure is unclear, but theories suggest various different rituals observed for Stonehenge's purpose. Other purposes may include tracking the sun and moon, Neolithic Calendar and midwinter celebrations, according to English Heritage, the government's tourism group. The Vesthimmerlands Museum offers public tours of the Neolithic Timber Circle. Fox News Digital reached out to the Vesthimmerlands Museum for comment.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Construction Workers Accidentally Discovered A Stonehenge-Esque Ritual Site
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Archaeologists have discovered a Stonehenge-esque circle of timber posts in Denmark, thought to be from the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age. The site was likely used as a ritual ground and gathering place, and the wood posts may have been aligned with the Sun as the stones in Stonehenge were. Further excavations and DNA testing will attempt to determine who built this circle, and whether they were related to the builders of sites like Stonehenge and Woodhenge. Many archaeological discoveries make themselves known to the world by mere accident, and construction workers in Denmark have added another major discovery to that list. During the building of a housing development in the Danish town of Aars, workers unearthed a site reminiscent of the mysterious and iconic Stonehenge. Further excavation revealed the remnants of wooden posts that had been arranged in a circle, which initially stumped Vesthimmerlands Museum curator Sidsel Wåhlin. Along with excavation leader Andreas Bo Nielsen and his research team, the team deduced that the collection of wooden posts was most likely a ritual structure similar to the legendary Stonehenge and its neighbor, Woodhenge. 'It was an extraordinary find,' Wåhlin said in a museum press release. 'The timber circle gives us valuable insight into rituals and social structures from the late Stone Age [or] early Bronze Age. It is a testament to Denmark's rich archaeological heritage, and the close connections of the Himmerländing people to other areas and peoples in Europe.' Made of at least 45 wooden posts placed two meters (6.5 feet) apart, the entire structure has a diameter of 30 meters (about 98 feet) and is thought to have been built sometime between 2600 and 1600 B.C. It was built on what is already known to be sacred ancient land where rituals were performed. A similar wooden henge, which was determined to be a gravesite with burial mounds, had previously been found a little over a mile north. The newly excavated Danish site was likely built around the same time as Stonehenge, the purpose of which is still debated. Many archaeologists agree that the sarsen stones (which are also the largest stones) near the center of Stonehenge were aligned with the solar cycle. The Heel Stone on the northeast end is one of the most significant of the sarsens—on the summer solstice, the Sun rises to its left, and the remains of another stone across from it suggest that the pair may have been intended to capture the sunrise between them. The winter solstice was welcomed by the Altar Stone, which has since fallen on its side. Like Stonehenge, this newly-discovered wooden ritual site also appears to have been arranged in alignment with the Sun. And, potentially, both may have served as gathering places for locals and weary migrants. The new discovery suggests that henges may have been widespread social and ritual sites throughout Europe. Nielsen and Wåhlin now plan to excavate the site further and search for artifacts used for building or rituals, such as picks and arrowheads. Archaeologists will also test for DNA to see if there is a genetic connection between the builders of the Aars site and the henges in England—some of the Jutes, who inhabited this region during the late Neolithic and early Bronze age, migrated to what is now Great Britain and may have contributed to both collections of sites. 'The excavation is a meticulous process and we are excited about the find,' Nielsen said in the press release. 'The timber circle is a window into the past, giving us an insight into the ceremonial and ritual activities of our ancestors.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Construction Workers Accidentally Discovered A Stonehenge-Esque Ritual Site
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Archaeologists have discovered a Stonehenge-esque circle of timber posts in Denmark, thought to be from the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age. The site was likely used as a ritual ground and gathering place, and the wood posts may have been aligned with the Sun as the stones in Stonehenge were. Further excavations and DNA testing will attempt to determine who built this circle, and whether they were related to the builders of sites like Stonehenge and Woodhenge. Many archaeological discoveries make themselves known to the world by mere accident, and construction workers in Denmark have added another major discovery to that list. During the building of a housing development in the Danish town of Aars, workers unearthed a site reminiscent of the mysterious and iconic Stonehenge. Further excavation revealed the remnants of wooden posts that had been arranged in a circle, which initially stumped Vesthimmerlands Museum curator Sidsel Wåhlin. Along with excavation leader Andreas Bo Nielsen and his research team, the team deduced that the collection of wooden posts was most likely a ritual structure similar to the legendary Stonehenge and its neighbor, Woodhenge. 'It was an extraordinary find,' Wåhlin said in a museum press release. 'The timber circle gives us valuable insight into rituals and social structures from the late Stone Age [or] early Bronze Age. It is a testament to Denmark's rich archaeological heritage, and the close connections of the Himmerländing people to other areas and peoples in Europe.' Made of at least 45 wooden posts placed two meters (6.5 feet) apart, the entire structure has a diameter of 30 meters (about 98 feet) and is thought to have been built sometime between 2600 and 1600 B.C. It was built on what is already known to be sacred ancient land where rituals were performed. A similar wooden henge, which was determined to be a gravesite with burial mounds, had previously been found a little over a mile north. The newly excavated Danish site was likely built around the same time as Stonehenge, the purpose of which is still debated. Many archaeologists agree that the sarsen stones (which are also the largest stones) near the center of Stonehenge were aligned with the solar cycle. The Heel Stone on the northeast end is one of the most significant of the sarsens—on the summer solstice, the Sun rises to its left, and the remains of another stone across from it suggest that the pair may have been intended to capture the sunrise between them. The winter solstice was welcomed by the Altar Stone, which has since fallen on its side. Like Stonehenge, this newly-discovered wooden ritual site also appears to have been arranged in alignment with the Sun. And, potentially, both may have served as gathering places for locals and weary migrants. The new discovery suggests that henges may have been widespread social and ritual sites throughout Europe. Nielsen and Wåhlin now plan to excavate the site further and search for artifacts used for building or rituals, such as picks and arrowheads. Archaeologists will also test for DNA to see if there is a genetic connection between the builders of the Aars site and the henges in England—some of the Jutes, who inhabited this region during the late Neolithic and early Bronze age, migrated to what is now Great Britain and may have contributed to both collections of sites. 'The excavation is a meticulous process and we are excited about the find,' Nielsen said in the press release. 'The timber circle is a window into the past, giving us an insight into the ceremonial and ritual activities of our ancestors.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
The Guardian
26-02-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Stonehenge-like circle unearthed in Denmark may have links to UK
An 'extraordinary' timber circle believed to be thousands of years old and connected to Stonehenge in England has been discovered in the ground in Denmark. The circle of at least 45 wooden posts in Aars, North Jutland, has a diameter of about 30 metres and is believed to have been constructed between 2600 and 1600BC. The 'woodhenge', the second to be found in the area, was discovered in January during excavation of the site. Experts say the find shows how widespread shared belief systems were and the close connection between Denmark and England. Sidsel Wåhlin, a curator at Vesthimmerlands Museum, who came across the holes while taking off the topsoil with the excavation leader, Andreas Bo Nielsen, said: 'It is an extraordinary find.' At first she thought it was a line of post holes, then Wåhlin discovered it formed the shape of a circle. 'I was like: 'Oh my God, a timber circle, there is just no other explanation.'' The circle, which was not visible in aerial photography archives, offered insights into the rituals and social structures of the late stone age and early bronze age, she said. Britain and Ireland have dozens of henges – round earthen enclosures, some featuring stones or timber posts, such as Stonehenge and nearby Woodhenge – remaining from 3000BC to 2000BC. 'They are ritual centres and sites that are connected with the worship of the sun and the agricultural ritual practices of the time,' Wåhlin said. 'In order to decide to make such a specific monument you have to understand what it means and how to plan it.' The newly discovered Danish woodhenge appeared to have a similar axis as England's Stonehenge and Woodhenge, she said. 'It shows us that they are sharing the same worldviews on large-scale areas on how to be farmers, how society connects with the supernatural. 'Building monuments on this scale, you need to understand why and how. If a British person from the time would have come to the site they would have known what they are doing in there.' They are waiting for the results of wood samples but the posts are most likely to have been made from oak. The team hopes to do genetic testing to see if there are any DNA connections between the site and the UK or other parts of Europe.
