A mysterious stone circle in a forest in Derbyshire, England, has been uncovered as part of a much larger Bronze Age monument. New excavations show the stone, once thought to stand alone, is part of a 3,700-year-old ceremonial site likely used for ancient rituals.
The discovery was made in Farley Wood, near the town of Matlock, during a collaborative dig by Forestry England and the archaeology series Time Team. The once-isolated stone, standing nearly 7 feet tall, has been identified as part of a wider prehistoric structure from the Bronze Age. Archaeologists revealed that the main stone was purposefully placed above a natural spring, suggesting the site held a special significance tied to water.
During the excavation, the team found signs of a ceremonial platform and evidence that five other stones had once stood nearby. These stones likely formed a circular monument used for rituals or gatherings.
Dr. Lawrence Shaw, lead historic environment adviser at Forestry England said this is “hugely significant and transforms our understanding” of this site. “What we’ve uncovered is evidence of a much more complex ceremonial landscape, which the original standing stone is part of.”
Dr. Shaw added that the stone platform discovered near the main standing stone is even older, pointing to the area’s long-term use for ritual purposes.
“The stone platform predates the standing stone itself, suggesting continuous ritual use of this site over hundreds of years, strongly linked to the water and the importance it held for Bronze Age communities.”
Local archaeology enthusiast George Bird had long suspected the stone circle in Derbyshire, England was part of something bigger. His observations played a key role in starting the investigation.
Forestry England confirmed they plan to preserve and manage the entire site with the same care given to scheduled monuments. The goal is to protect the area from damage while allowing further study.
Archaeologists plan to return next summer for a more extended investigation. The team aims to determine when the site was initially built and the full extent of the ceremonial complex.
Dr. Derek Pitman, associate professor of archaeology at Bournemouth University, described the experience as a career highlight. “It’s a dream come true to get to work on such a significant prehistoric monument,” Pitman said.
“The scale of activity that likely existed in that landscape highlights the impact of Bronze Age ritual life far beyond headline sites like Stonehenge.
“Researchers suggest that this is just the beginning, and the site may reveal much more about how ancient people lived, gathered, and connected with nature thousands of years ago.
