Dorset's Flagstones Monument Predates Stonehenge by Centuries, Study Finds

New radiocarbon dating places the prehistoric site at 3200 BC, raising questions about the timeline of Britain's ancient monuments.

• The Flagstones monument in Dorset has been re-dated to approximately 3200 BC, making it Britain's oldest known circular enclosure.
• This discovery suggests Flagstones may have influenced later iconic structures like Stonehenge, which dates to around 2900 BC.
• Advanced radiocarbon analysis of human remains, red deer antlers, and charcoal provided the revised timeline.
• Researchers highlight Flagstones' unique blend of earlier and later prehistoric monument features, bridging causewayed enclosures and henges.
• The findings prompt questions about whether Stonehenge's construction timeline requires reevaluation based on these new insights.

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