In a remarkable archaeological discovery, experts have uncovered a one-of-a-kind Neolithic monument on the windswept expanse of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, England. The enigmatic stone and turf structure, known locally as King Arthur’s Hall, has been found to be a staggering 4,000 years older than previously thought, dating back to the middle Neolithic period between 5,000 and 5,500 years ago.
A Unique Structure Without Parallel
What sets this monument apart is its unparalleled design. Lead archaeologist James Gossip emphasizes the structure’s uniqueness, stating, “There isn’t another one of these anywhere. There is nothing built at that time or subsequently in prehistory that is a rectangular earth and stone bank with a setting of stone orthostats around the interior. There is no other parallel.”
The rectangular enclosure, measuring an impressive 49 meters by 21 meters, is lined on the inside with 56 standing stones reaching heights of up to 1.8 meters. This configuration is unlike any other known structure from the Neolithic period or later in prehistory, making King Arthur’s Hall a true archaeological marvel.
Uncovering the Monument’s True Age
Initially recorded by Historic England as a medieval animal pen, the monument’s true age remained hidden until recent investigations. A group of local amateur archaeologists raised questions about the structure’s attribution, prompting Cornwall National Landscape to commission an excavation by the Cornwall Archaeological Unit and experts from the universities of Reading, St Andrews, and Newcastle.
Through meticulous excavation and advanced dating techniques, such as optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), the archaeologists determined that the interior of the monument had been dug away around 3000 BC. Gossip explains, “They’ve dug down through the earth of Bodmin Moor to the loose granite on the surface, and they piled it up to make these ramparts. And what they did in our favor was they buried these very ancient soils below them which we could target for OSL.”
The Mystery of King Arthur’s Hall
Despite its intriguing name, which dates back to at least 1583, the monument was certainly not built by or for the legendary King Arthur. If the fabled king existed at all, he would have been associated with the early Anglo-Saxon period in the fifth and sixth centuries AD, thousands of years after the construction of this Neolithic structure.
The middle ages was a period when the Arthur name starts being attributed to all sorts of unusual sites that the local population at the time probably didn’t understand. That suggests its original function had been lost by that point, but people attributed it to King Arthur because he had this association with something mythical and powerful.
James Gossip, Lead Archaeologist
A Gathering Place for Ancient Communities
The middle Neolithic period, predating the well-known stone circles of the Bronze Age, marked a time when people began settling in the same place for the first time and constructing enclosures, often on high tors. Archaeologists believe these structures served as meeting points for communities, perhaps to mark special occasions or conduct ceremonies.
Gossip favors the theory that King Arthur’s Hall served a similar purpose, functioning as a place for the community to gather. He notes, “It remains as an enigma, but we now know a little bit more about it, and we can firmly place it in the prehistoric landscape context of Cornwall.”
Unraveling the Enigma
As archaeologists continue to study this remarkable find, they hope to shed more light on the lives and practices of the Neolithic people who once inhabited the area. The discovery of King Arthur’s Hall not only challenges previous assumptions about the monument’s age and purpose but also opens up new avenues for understanding the prehistoric landscape of Cornwall.
With its unique design and mysterious origins, King Arthur’s Hall stands as a testament to the ingenuity and cultural practices of our ancient ancestors. As research progresses, this enigmatic structure may yet reveal more secrets about the communities that once gathered within its stone-lined walls, offering a glimpse into a bygone era that continues to captivate the imagination of archaeologists and the public alike.
