Archaeologists to explore feasting habits of ancient builders of Stonehenge

The team who worked on the Stonehenge Riverside Project in 2009 are to return to their findings to explain the eating habits of the people who built and worshipped at the stone circle over four thousand years ago.

Once again led by Professor Mike Parker Pearson from the University of Sheffield, and funded with an  £800,000 grant from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the new ‘Feeding Stonehenge’ project will analyse a range of materials including cattle bones and plant residue.

At the time of the Winter Solstice experts believe people would have brought livestock with them to Stonehenge for a solstice feast. Initial research suggests the animals were brought considerable distances to the ceremonial site at this time of year.

 The original Stonehenge Riverside project, which strengthened the idea that nearby Durrington Walls was part of the Stonehenge complex, yielded a surprisingly wide range of material ranging from ancient tools to animal remains.