ARCHAEOLOGISTS have discovered an underground “ancient circle” which may have been used for burial rituals hundreds of years ago on the Isle of Arran.
A geophysics survey has revealed traces of a stone or timber circle in Arran’s ancient Machrie Moor which could have come from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, according to a new report released by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
The Machrie Moor is best known for its rich archaeological landscape as it is home to several stone circles, standing stones, burial cairns and cists.
The new circle, hidden beneath the ground’s surface, was discovered by a geophysical survey carried out by HES archaeologists.
The team used advanced technology to search for anomalies which could be caused by stone, timber, metal, or other disturbances underground.
The team, led by Dr Nick Hannon, discovered 12 circular pit-like anomalies which, when the 12 points were connected together, formed a circle with additional spacing for two more settings.
Archaeologists said that there were no stones present in the pits, so the circle could have consisted of either stone or timber posts.
Dr Hannon, senior heritage recording manager at HES, said the discovery reminded him why they carry out the work, to preserve Scotland’s heritage and discover more of its untold past.
“We are tremendously excited about this new discovery. We know that there is a lot of archaeology yet to uncover at Machrie Moor, but the discovery of a new circle completely surpassed our expectations,” he said.
“The tools we use to learn about what’s underground are constantly developing, and we can learn more and more about our buried history without disturbing the earth and potentially damaging archaeological remains.
“Discoveries like this one remind us why we do this work – to look after Scotland’s heritage and uncover more of our past in the process.”
The peat moorland, Machrie Moor, is an area of “striking concentration” of archaeological remains from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
Six stone circles have so far been identified, known as circles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 11.
Excavations at the site have shown that several of the stone circles were preceded by timber circles in the same positions, where the timber was then replaced by stone.
Experts say it is likely that the newly-discovered circle dates from a similar period as the other circles still standing.
They also believe the circles were associated with ritual and ceremonial activities for the Neolithic and Bronze Age farmers that lived on Machrie Moor.
They also align with a prominent notch at the head of Machrie Glen, where the midsummer sunrise would have been visible.
Archaeologists noted that later on, the circles were likely used for burials, including cremations and inhumations, for prominent members of the community.
The newly-discovered circle may have been used for these purposes as well, but further archaeological research is required to understand the circle’s place in Machrie Moor’s history.
