Thornborough Henges — Central Henge
Thornborough Central Henge · Thornborough Middle Henge
Late Neolithic·Late Neolithic Yorkshire·🇬🇧 Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
About
About Thornborough Henges — Central Henge
Central of three Neolithic henges at Thornborough (c. 3500–2500 BCE), 240 m diameter earthwork with outer bank and inner ditch aligned with northern and southern henges on River Ure terrace. Forms 1.7 km ritual landscape called Stonehenge of the North, with cursus and settlement scatter.
Why it mattersCore of England's most important Neolithic henge complex after Stonehenge.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Triple alignment astronomical function
- 02Gypsum burial?
- 03Cursus-henges link
Theories
- 01Processional ritual landscape along Ure
- 02Lunar/solar observatory aligned to Orion
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 3000 BCE
- Period
- Late Neolithic
- Culture
- Late Neolithic Yorkshire
- Purpose
- Ceremonial henge and astronomical alignment
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 19th–20th century
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 3000 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Thornborough Henges — Central Henge
19th century / 1960s
Antiquarian notice and modern systematic excavation of Thornborough Henges — Central Henge
2000s
Conservation and publication of final reports for Thornborough Henges — Central Henge
On the ground
Structures & features
54.2101° N · 1.5642° W · 42 m · 3 mapped features
Central Henge Bank & Ditch
henge earthwork240 m circular bank and ditch with double entrances
54.2103° N · 1.5641° WNortheast Entrance Causeway
entrance8 m wide causeway across ditch on northeast side aligned to northern henge
54.2100° N · 1.5643° WInternal Pit Alignment
pit alignmentDouble pit alignment 100 m inside henge marking timber setting
54.2104° N · 1.5641° W