5 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Woodhenge Found in Denmark: A Link Between Denmark and Britain’s Neolithic Past

In a stunning revelation, archaeologists have unearthed a remarkable structure dubbed “woodhenge” in Denmark, a discovery that not only illuminates the ancient practices of Neolithic societies but also invites us to reconsider the interconnectedness of prehistoric cultures across Europe.

In a remarkable archaeological discovery, a team led by Sidsel Wåhlin at Vesthimmerland Museum has unearthed a structure dubbed “woodhenge” in Aars, a town in northwestern Denmark. This ancient site, consisting of 45 wooden pieces arranged in a circle with a diameter of approximately 100 feet, is believed to date back to between 2600 and 1600 BC. The find was made during construction work for a housing estate, revealing a significant connection to the Neolithic era.

Wåhlin described the discovery as “extraordinary” and a “once-in-a-lifetime” find, emphasizing its implications for understanding the cultural ties between Denmark and the British henge world. The structure closely resembles the henges found in Britain and Ireland, which are characterized by their circular arrangements of stones or timber posts. This resemblance raises intriguing questions about the interactions and shared practices of Neolithic peoples across Europe.

Archaeologists are currently investigating the possibility of an inner circle at the Aars site, akin to the famous Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, which is thought to have been constructed between 3100 BC and 1600 BC. Wåhlin noted that these structures likely served as ritual centers, connected to sun worship and agricultural practices of the time. The planning and construction of such monuments suggest a sophisticated understanding of their significance within the social and spiritual frameworks of the communities that built them.

The excavation team at the North Jutland timber circle site, with overlayed images showing where the posts would have been. Credit: Vesthimmerlands Museum
The excavation team at the North Jutland timber circle site, with overlayed images showing where the posts would have been. Credit: Vesthimmerlands Museum

The discovery of the wooden circle in Aars is particularly noteworthy as it is the first of its kind that can be thoroughly investigated. Previous finds of timber circles on the Danish island of Bornholm have hinted at similar practices, but the Aars site offers a unique opportunity to explore the connections between early farming communities in Denmark and their counterparts in Britain.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



In addition to the wooden circle, archaeologists have also uncovered an early Bronze Age settlement at the site, which includes a chieftain’s grave and a bronze sword. This context enriches the narrative of the region’s history, suggesting a complex interplay of cultural influences. As the team continues to excavate, they are searching for “ritual deposits” such as flint arrowheads and daggers, which could provide further insights into the rituals and social structures of the late Stone Age and early Bronze Age.

Wåhlin expressed hope that ongoing research will reveal more about the connections between the Aars site and other Neolithic peoples, including those who constructed Stonehenge. The influence of various regions is already evident in the pottery and burial practices discovered at the site, hinting at a rich tapestry of cultural exchange in prehistoric Europe.

As the investigation unfolds, the “woodhenge” discovery not only sheds light on Denmark’s ancient past but also invites us to reconsider the broader narrative of Neolithic societies and their enduring legacies.

Vesthimmerland Museum

Related Articles

Türkiye’s Neolithic Settlement Çayönü Hill Discovered New Tombs from Early Bronze Age

4 September 2023

4 September 2023

Archaeologists have unearthed 5 more tombs dating to the Early Bronze Age during the recent excavations on Çayönü Hill in...

In the 1,900-year-old underground temple of Mithras religion in Zerzevan Castle, an area where participants of secret rituals stayed was unearthed

23 July 2024

23 July 2024

Excavations at the  Zerzevan Castle in Diyarbakır province in the southeastern part of Türkiye have uncovered an area where participants...

Researchers decipher enigmatic ancient ‘Unknown Kushan Script’

13 July 2023

13 July 2023

A research team at the University of Cologne’s Department of Linguistics deciphered a writing system belonging to the Kushan Empire,...

New insights into Scotland’s ‘bodies in the bog’

31 March 2022

31 March 2022

Fourteen bodies were found at Cramond near Edinburgh in 1975. New research suggests that two of the remains of these...

3,000-Year-Old Cave Paintings Discovered in Itatiaia National Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

13 April 2025

13 April 2025

In a stunning revelation, a dedicated team of researchers from the National Museum, in collaboration with the Federal University of...

New study reveals Dog ancestry can be traced back to two separate wolf populations

30 June 2022

30 June 2022

An international group of geneticists and archaeologists with participation of the University of Potsdam have found that the ancestry of...

2,000-year-old stone faces and engravings emerge amid severe drought in Amazon

24 October 2023

24 October 2023

As a result of record-low water levels brought on by the region’s worst drought in over a century, faces carved...

Unique Roman Cavalry Parade Helmet Recreated

6 April 2024

6 April 2024

Two replicas have been created of the gilded silver unique Roman cavalry helmet that amateur archaeologists found in 2001 while...

11,000-Year-Old LSU Campus Mounds Are Oldest Known Human-Made Structures In North America

23 August 2022

23 August 2022

According to new research published in the American Journal of Science, two six-meter (20-foot) high mounds on the campus of...

Archaeologists uncovered a ‘golden tomb’ during excavations in Armenia

26 March 2023

26 March 2023

A team of archaeologists made up of Polish and Armenian scientists has discovered a “golden tomb” containing two skeletons in...

20-Year Mystery Solved: Roman Marble Head in Crimea Identified as Laodice, the Woman Who Secured Her City’s Freedom

15 September 2025

15 September 2025

An international team of archaeologists and scientists has finally solved a mystery that began more than two decades ago. In...

Fake Byzantine Coin Pendant Is First Evidence of 6th-Century Elite in Thaxted, Essex

1 August 2025

1 August 2025

Discovery of a rare 6th-century pseudo-Byzantine gold coin pendant near Thaxted sheds new light on elite presence in early medieval...

2,700-year-old Unique Rock Tombs Disappear

18 July 2023

18 July 2023

The 2,700-year-old rock tombs, unique in Turkey, in the Taşköprü district of Kastamonu are in danger of extinction due to...

A New Picene Prince Tomb Dating to the 7th Century BC with Two Chariots Discovered in Corinaldo, Italy

29 July 2024

29 July 2024

Following the discovery of the so-called ‘Prince of Corinaldo’ in 2018, archaeologists from the University of Bologna have discovered a...

Ancient necropolis of stillborn babies and very young children found in Auxerre, France

8 June 2024

8 June 2024

A team from INRAP, France’s national archaeology and preservation agency, unearthed a necropolis dedicated to stillborn and very young children...