Norwich timber henge burnt in Neolithic winter solstice excavated

[Judi Lynn]

Published
21 hours ago



CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS/ANTIQUITY JOURNAL

The late Neolithic to Bronze Age monument is close to many other prehistoric sites, including burial barrows and mines


By Katy Prickett
BBC News, East
A 5,000-year-old timber circle burnt down during a Neolithic midwinter solstice has been excavated for the first time since the 1930s.

Arminghall Henge, just outside Norwich, was discovered by a pilot in 1929 surveying for ancient monuments.

The blaze would have created "a hell of a bonfire which burnt for days", archaeologist Andy Hutcheson said.

Dr Hutcheson said following the dig they now believe it was deliberately set alight during a winter gathering.



Archaeologists & volunteers at Arminghall HengeIMAGE SOURCE,ANDY HUTCHESON

Archaeologists excavated a post hole examined 90 years ago as well as one not previously touched

Radiocarbon dating in 2010 suggested it was built between 3525BC to 2700BC.

More:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-63242326

[Wicked Blue]

1. Sounds like the forerunner of the Yule Log

I believe the tradition was to drag in a huge log and keep in burning for 12 days.

[wnylib]

2. According to Wikipedia, you might be right.

The Yule Log, associated with Christmas today, was a Pagan custom focused on the passing of the winter solstice. We associate it with the UK, but similar customs existed in other parts of Europe.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_log