The Mystery of the Fallen Stones in Kingsdown, Wiltshire

Nestled in the idyllic countryside of Wiltshire, England, lies the village of Kingsdown. But beneath its peaceful facade lurks a historical enigma: a collection of scattered ancient stones, hinting at a forgotten past. These aren't your average garden pebbles; these are large standing stones, known as menhirs, and they've sparked the curiosity of locals and historians alike.

The stones themselves are impressive. Imagine monolithic giants, some reportedly exceeding the size of a car, scattered along roadsides, nestled in gardens, and even piled atop one another within Kingsdown Woods. Their presence is undeniable, yet their purpose remains shrouded in mystery.

The prevailing theory suggests these stones were once part of a grander structure, possibly a stone circle – a prehistoric monument believed to hold religious significance. Imagine a ring of these megaliths standing tall on the heights of Kingsdown, perhaps similar to the Swinside Stone Circle in the Lake District.

But unlike Swinside's majestic circle, Kingsdown's stones lay fallen. Theories abound for their demise. Did time and natural elements take their toll? Were they deliberately toppled by human hands? One local legend suggests they were strategically placed on the nearby Kingsdown Golf Course during World War II to deter enemy aircraft landings!

The truth behind the Kingsdown stones likely lies somewhere in the distant past. Radiocarbon dating, a technique used to determine the age of organic materials, could shed light on their origins. Further archaeological investigation could potentially reveal the layout of the original structure and its purpose in the lives of the Neolithic or Bronze Age people who erected them.

For now, the Kingsdown stones stand as silent sentinels, a testament to a bygone era. They serve as a reminder of the enduring power of human curiosity and the allure of unraveling the mysteries of our past. So, if you ever find yourself in Wiltshire, take a trip to Kingsdown and let these fallen giants spark your own imagination. Who knows, you might just be the one to unlock their secrets.


© All rights reserved

Popular Posts

Devilishly Intriguing: Exploring Oxfordshire's Mysterious Quoits

Image
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Oxfordshire, England, lies a site shrouded in legend and history: the Devil's Quoits. This evocative name hints at its ancient past, a past that stretches back 4, 000-5, 000 years to the Neolithic period. While not as widely known as its larger cousin, Stonehenge, the Devil's Quoits possess a charm and mystery all their own. A Circle Whispers Tales: Standing as a henge and stone circle, the Quoits boast an impressive circumference of 100 meters. Originally consisting of around 50 massive stones, only 17 remain upright today. Yet, even in their partially restored state, they whisper tales of a bygone era. Imagine Neolithic people gathering within this sacred space, conducting rituals under the watchful gaze of the sun and moon. What ceremonies did they perform? What beliefs did they hold? The stones, silent yet eloquent, leave these questions to fuel our imaginations. The Devil's Game: The name, "Devil's Quoi
Read more

Lanhill Long Barrow: A Window into Neolithic Britain

Image
Lanhill Long Barrow also known as Hubba's Low, is a Neolithic long barrow located in Wiltshire, England. It is one of the best-preserved long barrows in the Cotswolds-Severn Group, and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The barrow is oriented east-west and measures 56 meters long and 4 meters high. It has a roughly oval shape, with a rounded end at the east and a slightly pointed end at the west. The barrow is made up of earth and rubble, and is surrounded by a ditch. The barrow was excavated in 1909, and three burial chambers were discovered. However, only the southernmost burial chamber survives today. The chamber is rectangular in shape and measures 2.5 meters long, 1.5 meters wide, and 1 meter high. It is made up of large sarsen stones, and the roof is now supported by steel bars. The burial chamber contained the remains of at least 12 people, as well as a variety of grave goods, including pottery, flint tools, and jewelry. The grave goods suggest that the barrow was used for com
Read more

Stones of Avebury

Image
Avebury is a village in the county of Wiltshire in England known for containing a significant number of ancient monuments. The most famous monument is the Avebury Stone Circle. Avebury Stone Circle is the world's largest stone circle, comprising of other monuments within it, including a cove and two stone circles. The stone circle is located inside the henge that encircles part of Avebury village. Some stones at Avebury have names and these names are based on the stories that are related to the stones. Most of the stones are part of the stone circles. But two of them form a stone setting that is believed to be older than the stone circles. DEVIL'S CHAIR This stone got its name from a naturally formed seat on one side of the stone. Directly above the seat is a hole known as "chimney". Legend has it that if you run around the stone anti-clockwise, you will summon the Devil. RING STONE The Ring Stone is a broken piece of stone once smashed by an enraged church minister.
Read more