Archeologist Discovers Two New Stonehenge-Like Structures Supporting a 'Sacred Arc' Theory

An archeologist has recently uncovered two neolithic stone circles in England. These stone circles are important discoveries as they back the famous 'Sacred Arc' theory proposed by several experts, Smithsonian Magazine reported. The theory claims that people of the Stone Age built a ring of Stonehenge-like circles of rocks in the Devon uplands. Experts through excavations in Dartmoor National Park have found evidence to support this theory.

Researchers believe that these circles were considered as monuments by the Stone Age society, The Guardian reported. Experts noted that one of the circles excavated from Dartmoor was similar in appearance to Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument. The second one was placed slightly outside the sweep of an arc and functioned as a gateway for pilgrims voyaging to the sea.

Alan Endacott, a Devon archeologist, and stained glass artist, has been working on Dartmoor for years. In 2007, he unveiled the presence of the highest stone circle in southern England, Sittaford at the site. The reveal of this stone circle reinforced the 'Sacred Arc' theory that had been discussed among experts for years. Hearing about it, Endacott decided to continue his search for stone circles and get to the bottom of this speculation. 

The pursuit was difficult but with the help of some volunteers, he was able to get his hands on two other neolithic stone circles years down the line. "It’s been wonderful," he said. "Since Sittaford I’ve been doing lots of systematic searches. You’ve got to get off the beaten track to find anything new on Dartmoor."

Endecott himself named one of the stone circles he uncovered from Dartmoor. He chose Metheral, based on the hill the circle was beneath when discovered. Metheral Circle was measured 40 meters by 33 meters and contained 20 stones, most of which were fallen. Looking at the Metheral circle Endacott found it similar to Stripple Stones of Bodmin Moor [in Cornwall], the Ring of Brodgar of Orkney as well as the earlier phase of Stonehenge in structure.

Endecott believes these similarities are a result of Stone Age people being nomads and having the opportunity to view multiple monuments. "People moved long distances in that period, so the people who built the stone circle at Metheral might also have been to Stonehenge and even possibly to Orkney. They traveled quite widely; there were lots of contacts between them with trading and so on," he explained.

According to Endecott, the second circle sits north of a spot that has become known as the Irishman’s Wall. He uncovered a dolmen in this stone circle and named it "the fallen brother" as a tribute to Dartmoor communities that lost their lives in wars.

Endecott thinks that the 'Sacred Arc' was meant to attract focus on the high ground of Dartmoor. "Dartmoor would have been very different then, there would have been a lot more forest cover. So possibly they were markers in the landscape, they recognized the higher ground and wanted to kind of enclose it for some reason," he added.

Endacott has no intention to stop and trusts much more can be found on this site. "These excavations exceeded my expectations and brought new evidence to light that will help with our understanding, but inevitably they have also raised more questions about why they were built. There are definitely other sites that I want to follow up on. We won’t be stopping any time soon," he claimed.