Priddy Circles

Priddy Circles are four circular earthwork enclosures near Priddy on the Mendip Hills in Somerset, each nearly 200m in diameter, stretching over 1.2km. Their external rather than internal ditches make them unique among British henges. Excavations (1956-1959) revealed banks with stone cores and concentric rings of posts lined with stakes and hurdles. Though undated by artifacts, they appear contemporary with Stonehenge, c. 2500-2180 BC. Recent research suggests they may predate henges and served a different function. The southernmost circle suffered damage in 2012, resulting in a fine for the landowner.