Previously unknown ancient site found under stone circle on Scottish island

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has revealed traces of a possible new stone or timber circle at the site, a rich landscape of archaeological remains which includes stone circles, standing stones, burial cairns and cists.

The new circle, hidden beneath the ground’s surface, was discovered by geophysical survey carried out by HES archaeologists. Using advanced technology, the ground was scanned for anomalies which could be caused by stone, timber, metal, or other disturbances underneath what is visible to the naked eye.

Led by Dr Nick Hannon, the archaeologists discovered twelve circular pit-like anomalies. When the twelve spots are connected together, they form a circle with additional spacing for two more settings. There are no stones present in the pits, so the circle could have consisted of either stone or timber posts.

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Machrie Moor is an area of peat moorland with a striking concentration of archaeological remains from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, a period dating from 3500 BC to 1500 BC.

Six stone circles have currently been identified, known as circles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 11. Excavation has shown that several of the stone circles were preceded by timber circles in the same positions, where the timber was then replaced by stone.

It is likely that the newly-discovered circle dates from a similar period as the other circles still standing. These circles were associated with ritual and ceremonial activities for the Neolithic and Bronze Age farmers that lived on Machrie Moor. They align with a prominent notch at the head of Machrie Glen, where the midsummer sunrise would have been visible.

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Later on, the circles were used for burials, including cremations and inhumations, perhaps for prominent members of the community.

The newly-discovered circle may have been used for these purposes as well, but further archaeological research is required to understand the circle’s place in Machrie Moor’s history.

Dr Nick Hannon, Senior Heritage Recording Manager at HES, said: “We are tremendously excited about this new discovery. We know that there is a lot of archaeology yet to uncover at Machrie Moor, but the discovery of a new circle completely surpassed our expectations.

“The tools we use to learn about what’s underground are constantly developing, and we can learn more and more about our buried history without disturbing the earth and potentially damaging archaeological remains. Discoveries like this one remind us why we do this work – to look after Scotland’s heritage and uncover more of our past in the process.”

The discovery adds further depth to our understanding of Arran’s prehistory.

In 2021, the site of a cursus monument - which measured more than a kilometre long - was discovered at Tormore on the island in a find which helped to shape the record of Scotland’s neolithic past, given that such landmarks are usually associated with the east coast.

Cursus monuments, sometiemes described as “cathedrals of the day” were often defined by long lines of timber posts, forming a long rectangle, and were amongst the most spectacular features in the Neolithic landscape.

The posts may have served as a procession route, perhaps to honour the dead. Some were burned to the ground in an almighty display which is believed to have been part of the ceremonies associated with these huge monuments.