25 Mesolithic pits found in Bedfordshire, UK

Archaeologists have made a significant discovery in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, uncovering up to 25 monumental pits from the Mesolithic period.

25 Mesolithic pits found in Bedfordshire, UK Credit: MOLA

These pits, found on the Linmere housing development site, are believed to be about 8,000 years old based on the identification of animal bones at the bottom of the pits.

The pits are round in shape, with steep sides and a wider base, measuring up to 16 feet in width and 6 feet in depth. The sheer number and vast area covered by these pits make them unique and unparalleled in England and Wales.

According to Professor Joshua Pollard from Southampton University, the Linmere pits are exceptional due to their quanтιтy and extent, setting them apart from other enigmatic pits found across Britain, including those at Stonehenge.

25 Mesolithic pits found in Bedfordshire, UK Credit: MOLA/HUGH GATT

The significance of these pits lies in their arrangement in alignments and clusters around former stream channels, suggesting a potential spiritual or ceremonial purpose. Radiocarbon dating has revealed that the pits date back to approximately 7,700 to 8,500 years ago.

The excavation work, conducted by Albion Archaeology and the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), has shed light on the lives of Mesolithic hunter-gatherer communities.

Animal bones, including those of aurochs, an extinct species of wild cattle, have been discovered in several pits, indicating evidence of feasting and providing crucial insights into the diet and subsistence practices of these ancient people.

The purpose of these pits remains a subject of speculation. While theories of hunting or food storage have been put forth, their shape and size make these explanations less likely.

The pits’ alignment in straight lines, some spanning up to 500 meters, and their proximity to water sources suggest a potential spiritual or symbolic significance. The effort required to construct such large pits would have been remarkable for the nomadic Mesolithic communities of the time.

The significance of this discovery extends beyond its rarity. It offers a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Mesolithic period in the UK, which is often characterized by limited evidence, such as flint tools and sporadic animal remains.

Archaeologists plan to further analyze the pits and their contents, including pollen samples, to unravel more information about the purpose and significance of the site. Investigations will also explore potential alignments with celestial events like the solstice.

Related Posts

Lavish Roman villa with rare fish pond and frescoes unearthed in ancient Tripolis, Turkey

Lavish Roman villa with rare fish pond and frescoes unearthed in ancient Tripolis, Turkey

Archaeologists have unearthed a stunningly well-preserved Roman villa in the city of Tripolis near Denizli in western Turkey. The discovery includes rich frescoes and a rare decorative…

Rare trilobite fossil amulet unearthed at Roman site in Spain reveals unique ancient beliefs

Rare trilobite fossil amulet unearthed at Roman site in Spain reveals unique ancient beliefs

Archaeologists working at the Roman site of A Cibdá de Armea in northwestern Spain, Galicia, have uncovered an unexpected discovery: a 450-million-year-old fossilized trilobite that was intentionally…

Ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs reemerge on Oahu’s shores after years of being hidden

Ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs reemerge on Oahu’s shores after years of being hidden

An amazing panel of ancient petroglyphs along the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, has again been revealed by the seasonal receding of ocean sands. Etched into sandstone on…

Mongolian Buddhist shrine scrolls virtually unrolled in Berlin reveal hidden Sanskrit mantra

Mongolian Buddhist shrine scrolls virtually unrolled in Berlin reveal hidden Sanskrit mantra

A Buddhist scroll hidden for decades within a Mongolian Gungervaa shrine has been virtually unrolled by researchers in Berlin through the use of advanced X-ray tomography, revealing…

Decapitation of a child 850,000 years ago reveals new evidence of cannibalism at Atapuerca

Decapitation of a child 850,000 years ago reveals new evidence of cannibalism at Atapuerca

A newly discovered human cervical vertebra from the Gran Dolina site in the Sierra de Atapuerca in Spain, which dates to 850,000 years ago, has provided new…

Lost tomb of Prussian countess Julie von Voß, wife of King Frederick William II, rediscovered in Berlin

Lost tomb of Prussian countess Julie von Voß, wife of King Frederick William II, rediscovered in Berlin

Archaeologists in Berlin uncovered what they believe to be Julie von Voß’s long-lost resting place, the second wife of Prussian King Frederick William II. The discovery was…