Recent archaeological discoveries on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall reveal a much older and more complex history than previously imagined. Through precise analyzes carried out by teams from the University of St Andrews, the University of Reading and the Cornwall Archaeological Unit (CAU), King Arthur's Hall, a site long associated with medieval legends of King Arthur, has been re -dated to the Neolithic era, approximately 5,500 years BC.
This historical revision reinscribes this place among the first monuments built in Great Britain, at a time marked by major architectural advances. Considered until now as a possible medieval enclosure for livestock, this monument of 56 standing stones now opens the way to hypotheses about its ceremonial or utilitarian functions in prehistory. The research questions the ancient interaction of communities with this landscape, between practical function and ancestral symbolism.
A monument five times older than supposed
The site of King Arthur's Hall, long considered a medieval vestige, probably an animal enclosure, is therefore reclassified temporally. It is placed in the Neolithic period. Dated between 5,500 and 5,000 BCE, King Arthur's Hall now appears to be one of the oldest monuments in southern Britain. Which obviously calls into question the first phases of occupation of Bodmin Moor. This shift in historical perspective on the region encourages researchers to reevaluate human interactions with this remote space at a time when monumental structures were taking shape. CAU's James Gossip told the BBCthat the site had been used and modernized at different periods of its history, up to the medieval period.
Excavations. © Historic England
For Dr Tim Kinnaird, this dating represents a “major revelation” which sheds new light on the prehistory of the region. With this scientific confirmation of the Neolithic origin of King Arthur's Hall, researchers see their understanding of the site transformed. It is no longer just a place shrouded in myth. But it is a space that is probably central to the social, cultural or ritual practices of the region's first inhabitants. The presence of standing stones suggests a special significance of the place in Neolithic culture. We can see a possible link with ceremonies or sophisticated practical functions. These discoveries make Bodmin Moor a prime landscape for exploring the development of prehistoric monuments.
Scientific methods and revealing clues
To determine the precise age of King Arthur's Hall, researchers combined several advanced dating techniques. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) made it possible to measure the exposure of quartz and feldspar grains to daylight before their burial. This helps calculate when the sediment surrounding the stones was last moved. This method is particularly useful for Neolithic sites. Indeed, it applies to minerals present in the soil for millennia. It then offers direct dating of the sediment layers around the structures, without requiring organic materials. By combining OSL with radiocarbon dating, researchers were able to obtain a more accurate and reliable timeline for the site's settlement.
Radiocarbon dating targeted biological samples recovered from the soil of King Arthur's Hall. And in particular pollen, insect remains and parasite eggs. These organic elements, preserved for thousands of years, refer to human and animal activities in the region. They made it possible to date the archaeological strata associated with the beginnings of the occupation of the site. Analyzes of these microfossils also provide information about the climate and ecosystem of Bodmin Moor at the time of construction. Experts have confirmed that the standing stones come from local quarries. Probably extracted from the site itself. This fact reinforces the idea of the know-how and intentionality of the first builders. They exploited the resources available in this isolated environment.
The enigmatic King Arthur site with varied possible functions
King Arthur's Hall intrigues researchers with its singular architecture and its lack of similar structure in the region. The rectangular enclosure made up of 56 standing stones evokes a space that is both orderly and robust. But its original use remains unclear. Some hypotheses, mentioned by James Gossip, attribute a utilitarian function to it, potentially as a water reserve for livestock or as a temporary grazing area, a common use on Bodmin Moor to support livestock farming. These practical functions seem plausible in this context, where water resources could be limited during certain seasons. Especially in exposed environments like moorland. The bowl shape could therefore corroborate this idea. However, the careful arrangement of the stones and their specific alignment also suggest a space invested with deeper meaning.
The symbolic perspective, explored by other scholars, envisions King Arthur's Hall as a place of ritual gathering. Neolithic ceremonies could have taken place there. Pete Herring, president of the Cornwall Archaeological Society, observes that the name “King Arthur's Hall” illustrates the ancient perception of the space as a mysterious and sacred place, steeped in local traditions.
Nevertheless, the association with King Arthur is today recognized as a legend with no historical basis. But the site continues to resonate in the collective imagination. This connection between myths and archeology shows how ancient sites mark popular memory. They give the remains a cultural dimension that goes beyond their original function. Today, science places King Arthur's Hall in the Neolithic context, a rereading which in no way diminishes its symbolic value, but on the contrary enriches the understanding of its potential role in the social practices of the time.
Preservation and environmental issues on the King Arthur site
The conservation of King Arthur's Hall is a major issue today. Indeed, the site is subject to the effects of natural and human erosion. It is located in an environment exposed to the winds and weather of the Bodmin Moor moor. This Neolithic monument remains particularly vulnerable to damage caused by the frequent passage of visitors and the grazing of local herds.
To limit these impacts, Historic England, Natural England and landowners in the area have developed a management plan. It includes targeted actions such as repairing and strengthening fences around the site. This should restrict livestock access and thus reduce the risk of trampling. This preservation plan also focuses on raising visitor awareness. They are encouraged to avoid walking on sensitive areas or disturbing animals. All this in a collective effort to safeguard this exceptional archaeological heritage.
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