Mysterious New Henge in England (Photos)

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Mysteries widen

newbold-on-stour henge

(Image credit: Archaeology Warwickshire)

Newbold Henge

newbold-on-stour henge

(Image credit: Google Earth)

The hidden monument was found and excavated ahead of a housing construction project at Newbold-on-Stour in England.

In the trenches

newbold-on-stour henge

(Image credit: Archaeology Warwickshire)

The henge had a pretty simple layout: a circular ditch surrounding an embankment that might have been used for rituals or ceremonies, though the purpose of this monument remains a mystery.

Skeletal remains

newbold-on-stour henge

(Image credit: Archaeology Warwickshire)

Five burials were found within the monument, and researchers with Archaeology Warwickshire say these skeletons are in good condition for their age.

Ancient arrangement

newbold-on-stour henge

(Image credit: Archaeology Warwickshire)

Buried with their knees curled, the bodies appear to be deliberately arranged within in the ditch, with some facing to the inner part of the monument and some facing out. Scientific analysis could prove whether they were part of the same family, or buried as a group.

Earthwork from above

newbold-on-stour henge

(Image credit: Archaeology Warwickshire)

Besides a few antler fragments, no artifacts were found at the site. The archaeologists said they will be looking closely at soil samples for microscopic clues about this environment like pollen and plant remains.

Megan Gannon
Megan Gannon
Live Science Contributor
Megan has been writing for Live Science and Space.com since 2012. Her interests range from archaeology to space exploration, and she has a bachelor's degree in English and art history from New York University. Megan spent two years as a reporter on the national desk at NewsCore. She has watched dinosaur auctions, witnessed rocket launches, licked ancient pottery sherds in Cyprus and flown in zero gravity. Follow her on Twitter and Google+.