Ancient Neolithic Earthwork Circles Discovered in Austria, Older than Stonehenge

Archaeologists in Austria have unearthed Neolithic circular earthworks that surpass the age of Stonehenge, dramatically altering perceptions of prehistoric Europe. Located near Rechnitz in Burgenland, the discoveries were made as part of the "Circular Enclosure and Stone Age Village" project, which is under the province's Archaeology Master Plan. Before a new archaeological visitor center is constructed, the findings have shed new light on the region's history.

Using aerial photography and geophysical surveys, researchers identified three Middle Neolithic circular enclosures dating back between 4850 and 4500 B.C. These structures, with diameters reaching up to 105 meters (344 feet), make Rechnitz a significant center during the Middle Neolithic era. Head of Archäologie Burgenland, Nikolaus Franz, emphasized the importance of thorough excavation and documentation to protect the buried remains, as construction is planned in the area.

The site also encompasses two Neolithic settlements, with most of the uncovered structures originating from the Early Neolithic period. This period, associated with the Neolithic Revolution, marked the transition from hunting and gathering to farming and animal domestication. Some of the structures suggest that habitation persisted into the Middle Neolithic, aligning with the construction of the monumental earthworks.

Archaeologists have discovered pits, postholes, and ceramic fragments, indicating Neolithic settlement activity. They have also confirmed the ditches of an Early Neolithic earthwork identified through geomagnetic imaging. Samples will undergo bioarchaeological testing, while soil profiles are being examined at the University of Vienna's Institute of Geography and Regional Research, aiming to reconstruct agricultural development and study the region's geological history.

Previously surveyed between 2011 and 2017, the Rechnitz earthworks predate both the Pyramids of Giza and Stonehenge by approximately 2,000 years, offering invaluable insights into Europe's prehistoric heritage.