Czech Republic's 6,500-year-old sanctuary found to predate Stonehenge by 1,000 years

A prehistoric circular sanctuary discovered near Chelby in the Czech Republic has been dated to over 6,500 years old, making it 1,000 years older than Stonehenge. The 230-meter-diameter structure features a deep ditch and twelve irregularly spaced entrances aligned with solar and lunar cycles, according to University of West Bohemia researchers.

A prehistoric circular sanctuary discovered near Chelby in the Czech Republic has been dated to over 6,500 years old, making it 1,000 years older than Stonehenge. The structure, measuring 230 meters in diameter, features a ditch over 2.5 meters deep and twelve irregularly spaced entrances. Researchers from the University of West Bohemia (UWB) found that the entrance geometry aligns with key solar and lunar cycles, similar to Stonehenge's main axis. Two main observation points connect the summer solstice sunrise with the winter solstice sunset, and track the moon's extreme positions over its 18-year cycle. The older date was determined through radiocarbon dating of materials from the site. Archaeologist Petr Krištuf noted that circular enclosures are unknown in the region for this period, making the site exceptional. The site also contained remains of approximately 18 people in the ditch, later identified as a Bronze Age Únětice culture burial. By the Iron Age, the monument lost its original significance, and an ordinary settlement was established there. Future research will analyze soil for chemical traces to understand the site's use across different eras. The project involves UWB, Charles University, and the University of Hradec Králové.