Dorchester home to stone circle that’s older than Stonehenge!

National Trust have announced that new research reveals that Flagstones in Dorchester dates to 3,200 years BC and sheds new light on the origins of monumental architecture during the Neolithic period.

Archaeological research conducted on the prehistoric Dorset burial site known as Flagstones has revealed that it is the earliest known large circular enclosure in Britain.

The monument has been redated to about 3,200 years BC – approximately two centuries earlier than previously thought – thanks to advanced radiocarbon analysis of some of the finds discovered there, including human remains, red deer antlers and charcoal.

The analysis suggests that Flagstones may have served as a prototype for later monuments like Stonehenge.

Findings from this collaborative research by the University of Exeter and Historic England, have been published in the latest edition of the journal Antiquity.

“Flagstones is an unusual monument; a perfectly circular ditched enclosure, with burials and cremations associated with it,” says Dr Susan Greaney, a specialist in Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments, in Exeter’s Department of Archaeology and History. “In some respects, it looks like monuments that come earlier, which we call causewayed enclosures, and in others, it looks a bit like things that come later that we call henges. But we didn’t know where it sat between these types of monuments – and the revised chronology places it in an earlier period than we expected.”

Flagstones was discovered in the 1980s during the construction of the Dorchester bypass, with excavations revealing it was formed of a 100m diameter circular ditch made of intersecting pits, probably an earthwork bank. Today, half of the site lies beneath the bypass, with the remainder located beneath Max Gate, Thomas Hardy’s former home, now bequeathed to the National Trust. Flagstones is a scheduled monument with finds and excavation archives preserved at Dorset Museum.

Image credit to University of Exeter and Artist impression issued by University of Exeter of the Flagstones enclosure seen shortly after construction in the middle Neolithic period; Photograph: Jennie Anderson/PA

The figure shows on the right is a map from the journal article showing the location of Flagstones within the wider Dorchester area; other Neolithic and Early Bronze Age monuments and settlement evidence in the area is also shown (figure by Susan Greaney). It shows just how rich this area is in Neolithic and Early Bronze Age monuments and settlement evidence, including:

Maumbury Rings – A neolithic henge that was modified during the Roman period when it was adapted for use as an amphitheatre, then remodelled again during the English Civil War when it was used as an artillery fort guarding the southern approach to Dorchester. The monument is now a public open space, and used for open-air concerts, festivals and re-enactments.

Maiden Castle – One of the largest and most complex Iron Age hillforts in Europe – the size of 50 football pitches.

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Dorchester is the perfect base for your Dorset holiday. It’s central location within the County means that you have brilliant access to the whole of the Jurassic Coast in the South, Thomas Hardy’s Wessex and the amazing hillforts and henges in North Dorset and Wiltshire (Stonehenge is only an hour away).

Dorchester is not only home to Neolithic and Early Bronze Age monuments. The town also boasts award winning museums, the fantastic Georgian Architecture in the picturesque town centre; Max Gate, the house designed and lived in by Thomas Hardy; HRH King Charles III’s urban extension at Poundbury with its open spaces and interesting shops and eateries; or the modern redevelopment of Brewery Square, the former brewery with its dancing fountains – there is lots for everyone to enjoy.

Dorchester, also known as Thomas Hardy’s Casterbridge or the Roman town of Durnovaria, has some fantastic local restaurants and cafes that celebrate local growers and producers and a great mix of local independent shops and valued national retailers.

Evenings in Dorchester as bustling with live music and events in pubs and bars, performances at our local arts centre and regular screenings at our two local cinemas (Odeon and Plaza).

The town boasts two train stations with direct train links to London and Bristol. Dorchester also has a network of electric beryl bikes for hire and is well connected with local bus routes. This makes Dorchester the perfect location for a car free weekend away!