A remarkable discovery in Denmark has been unveiled by archaeologists. It is the remains of a large, ancient timber circle, believed to be thousands of years old, with potential links to other stone and wooden circles found in Europe.
The structure, consisting of at least 45 wooden posts, was unearthed in Aars, North Jutland, during an excavation in January. Measuring just under 100 feet (30 meters) in diameter, experts estimate that it was built between 2600 and 1600 BC, or during the early Bronze Age. Some have gone so far as to label this discovery a “second Stonehenge,” based on the circle’s design and shape.
This “woodhenge,” the second of its kind discovered in the area, is shedding new light on ancient belief systems and societal connections across Europe. According to experts, the find underscores the widespread shared spiritual and cultural practices of early civilizations, and suggests a direct cultural connection between Denmark and England in prehistoric times.
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An Extraordinary Find from an Extraordinary Time
Sidsel Wåhlin, a curator at Vesthimmerlands Museum, was instrumental in the discovery. She and excavation leader Andreas Bo Nielsen first noticed the structure while removing the topsoil that coverered the holes associated with the circle.
Reflecting on the find, Wåhlin described it as “extraordinary.” Initially, the team had expected to uncover remains of a Bronze Age settlement dating from around 1700-1500 BC. Indeed, they found evidence of such a settlement, including a chieftain’s grave and a bronze sword. However, as they continued digging, they realized they had stumbled upon something far more significant.
Wåhlin recalled her excitement when she first discerned the circular formation.
“At first, I thought it was just a row of post holes,” she said in an interview quoted in the Guardian. “Then I realized it was forming a complete circle. I was like, ‘Oh my God, a timber circle, there is just no other explanation.’”
The site, which had remained undetectable in aerial photographs, provides invaluable insights into the rituals and societal structures of the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age. Preliminary estimates suggest the wooden circle dates to around 2000 BC, but more research will be needed to pinpoint its precise age and purpose. The archaelogists will be excavating in the area in search of “ritual deposits” such as flint arrowheads and daggers, which could provide further clues about the site’s ceremonial or spiritual function.
Stonehenge. (Edmund Shaw/CC BY-SA 2.0).
In Britain and Ireland, numerous henges—circular earthworks often featuring wooden posts or standing stones—remain as enduring remnants of ancient ceremonial sites, dating to between 3000 and 2000 BC. Notable examples include Stonehenge and nearby Woodhenge, which are thought to have served as ritual centers dedicated to sun worship and agricultural rites.
“The construction of such a complex monument requires not only a deep understanding of its significance but also detailed planning,” Wåhlin explained. She also noted that the newly uncovered Danish structure appears to share a similar axis with England’s Stonehenge and Woodhenge. This suggests that ancient communities across vast distances shared comparable worldviews and religious practices.
“It shows us that large-scale societies at the time were connected in their perspectives on farming, spirituality, and the relationship between humans and the supernatural,” she added.
Future excavations will explore whether there are tangible links between the region and other cultures, particularly those responsible for building Stonehenge. Wåhlin pointed out that influences from other areas can already be seen in the pottery and burial sites uncovered in Denmark.
“Constructing monuments of this magnitude requires a shared cultural understanding,” she said. “If someone from Britain at that time had visited this site, they would have recognized its purpose.”
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Ongoing analyses of wood samples from the site suggest that the posts were most likely made from oak. Researchers are now considering genetic testing to determine if there are any DNA connections between the people who built this monument and those in the UK or other parts of Europe.
The Stonehenge-Woodhenge Connection
Stonehenge remains one of the world’s most famous prehistoric sites. Its construction took place in multiple stages, beginning around 3000 BC with an early henge monument. The iconic stone circle, however, was erected later, around 2500 BC during the late Neolithic period. By the early Bronze Age, numerous burial mounds had been built nearby, further cementing the site’s importance.
Woodhenge, in Wiltshire, England. (Diego Delso/CC BY-SA 4.0).
Meanwhile, Woodhenge, located just two miles (3.2 kilometers) from Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, is another significant Neolithic site. Built around 2500 BC, it originally featured six concentric ovals of wooden posts encircled by a bank and ditch. The site was first identified through aerial photography in 1925, when circular dark patches appeared in a wheat field. Today, concrete markers stand in place of the original timber posts to illustrate its layout.
Similar wooden and stone circular structures have been discovered throughout Europe, dating back to the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. Although their exact ceremonial functions remain uncertain, many scholars believe they were associated with astronomical alignments, marking planetary movements and celestial events that were considered spiritually or metaphysically meaningful.
As research continues on the newly discovered Danish woodhenge, archaeologists hope to gain a deeper understanding of its role in prehistoric society and its potential connections to other significant sites across Europe. The discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into the belief systems of the ancient world, demonstrating the far-reaching influence of early civilizations and their sophisticated spiritual practices.
Top image: Photo of timber circle site in Denmark, with overlay showing how it would have looked with posts installed 4,000 years ago.
Source: Vesthimmerlands Museum.
By Nathan Falde
