イギリス・ブラッドフォード大学は9月7日、イギリス南西部の世界遺産ストーンヘンジの近くにあるダーリントンウォールズで、巨石が100個以上連なった世界最大級の環状遺跡を地中探査で発見したと発表した。
ダーリントンウォールズは、ストーンヘンジから3kmほど離れた位置にある約4500年前の土塁。「スーパーヘンジ」とも呼ばれている。ストーンヘンジが約5000年前の遺跡なので、約500年ほど後の時代になる。
この土塁に直径500m、円周が1500mを超える巨石の列が埋まっていることが分かった。調査チームは特殊なレーダーや磁気センサーなどを使った地中探査の結果、高さが最大4.5mの石が約100個連なっていたことを確認したという。
ダーリントンウォールズの「スーパーヘンジ」の地下に見つかった巨石の列
ハフポストUK版によると、調査プロジェクトを率いたブラッドフォード大学の考古学者、ヴィンス・ギャフニー教授は以下のように話した。
「私たちはヨーロッパ最大の石の記念碑群がすぐ近くにあることに、4000年間も気づいてなかったのです。これは、まさに注目すべき遺跡です。こんな物は世界中のどこにもありません。これは全く新しくて、そのスケールは尋常でありません」
スーパーヘンジの石の列は、アルファベットの「C」を描くにようにぐるっと取り囲んでいる
ストーンヘンジ 画像集
New Multimillion-Pound Visitor Centre At Stonehenge Opens(01 of41)
WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Stonehenge monument is seen on December 11, 2013 in Wiltshire, England. English Heritage will be unveiling the new multi-million pound visitor centre at Stonehenge - located about a mile-and-a-half (2km) from the stones - which also included grassing over the road alongside the ancient monument and closure of the existing 1960s facilities on December 17. Stonehenge, built between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC, attracts around 900,000 visitors a year, with 70 percent of those from overseas. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Birds Flying Over Stonehenge(02 of41)
[UNVERIFIED CONTENT] Birds flying over Stonehenge (credit:Sarah Marston via Getty Images)
Thousands Gather To Celebrate Summer Solstice At Stonehenge(03 of41)
AMESBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Revellers gather as druids, pagans and revellers celebrate the summer solstice at the megalithic monument of Stonehenge on June 21, 2013 near Amesbury, England. Despite cloudy skies, thousands of revellers gathered at the 5,000 year old stone circle in Wiltshire to see the sunrise on the Summer Solstice dawn. The solstice sunrise marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Stonehenge Postcard(04 of41)
[UNVERIFIED CONTENT] Stonehenge landscape at sunset. (credit:Michele Lapini via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-SOLSTICE(05 of41)
Revellers celebrate the pagan festival of \'Winter Solstice\' at Stonehenge in Wiltshire in southern England on December 21, 2012. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:BEN STANSALL via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-SOLSTICE(06 of41)
Revellers celebrate the pagan festival of \'Winter Solstice\' at Stonehenge in Wiltshire in southern England on December 21, 2012. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL,BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-SOLSTICE(07 of41)
Revellers celebrate the pagan festival of \'Winter Solstice\' at Stonehenge in Wiltshire in southern England on December 21, 2012. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL,BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-SOLSTICE(08 of41)
Revellers celebrate the pagan festival of \'Winter Solstice\' at Stonehenge in Wiltshire in southern England on December 21, 2012. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL,BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
Druids Celebrate Winter Solstice At Stonehenge(09 of41)
AMESBURY, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: A man takes a photograph of the sunrise as druids, pagans and revellers celebrate the winter solstice at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Tourists Flock To Stonehenge(10 of41)
SALISBURY, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: (EDITOR\'S NOTE: A GRADUATED FILTER WAS USED IN THE CREATION OF THIS IMAGE) Visitors and tourists walk around the ancient monument at Stonehenge on March 2 2012 in Wiltshire, England. The English Heritage, managed prehistoric UNESCO World Heritage site, believed to have been constructed in 3000BC, has always been a \'must see\' attraction for visitors to the UK and it is hoped that it will remain so for visitors to the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Rapeseed Blooms Across The UK(11 of41)
AMESBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 24: Rapeseed blooms in a field close to the ancient monument of Stonehenge, on April 24, 2012 near Amesbury, England. The vibrant yellow blossom of rapeseed, or oilseed rape (Brassica napus) has become a familiar sight in rural areas of the UK and is now one of the most popular crops for farmers because of its versatility and ease of growing. Rapeseed oil, used in many products, can be chemically altered to also produce bio-diesel and according to the UK National Farmers Union, rapeseed bio-fuel could meet a significant part of the country\'s fuel needs if given further government backing and investment. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
This photo taken on May 7, 2012 shows a (12 of41)
This photo taken on May 7, 2012 shows a replica of the World Heritage Site of Stonehenge at a park beside a new housing project in Hefei, east China\'s Anhui province. New home prices in two-thirds of China\'s major cities fell in March as officials maintain policies to curb the property market, aimed at limiting runaway property prices for more than a year, including bans on buying second homes, hiking minimum down-payments and introducing property taxes in select cities. CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
Severe Weather Warnings Are Placed On Parts Of The UK(13 of41)
AMESBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 11: Visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage site Stonehenge brave the wind and the rain on June 11, 2012 near Amesbury, England. The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for England and Wales for heavy rain and the Environment Agency has issued flooding alerts in more than 30 areas in south-east England, Wales and the Midlands. The UK\'s unseasonable weather is said to be due to the jet stream bringing low pressure further south than normal and forecasters say the wet and windy weather could continue for the next few weeks. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Revellers Celebrate Summer Solstice At Stonehenge(14 of41)
SALISBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Rollo Maughfling, the Archdruid of Glastonbury and Stonehenge conducts a Solstice celebration service for revellers as they wait for the midsummer sunrise at the megalithic monument of Stonehenge on June 21, 2012 near Salisbury, England. Cloudy skies and a Met Office weather warning for heavy rain meant the numbers of revellers who annually gather at the 5,000 year old stone circle to see the sunrise on the Summer Solstice was down on previous years. The solstice sunrise marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Revellers Celebrate Summer Solstice At Stonehenge(15 of41)
SALISBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Gleu Sunpooja stands in front of Stonehenge as solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer sunrise at the megalithic monument on June 21, 2012 near Salisbury, England. Cloudy skies and a Met Office weather warning for heavy rain meant the numbers of revellers who annually gather at the 5,000 year old stone circle to see the sunrise on the Summer Solstice was down on previous years. The solstice sunrise marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Revellers Celebrate Summer Solstice At Stonehenge(16 of41)
SALISBURY, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Solstice revellers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer sunrise at the megalithic monument of Stonehenge on June 21, 2012 near Salisbury, England. Cloudy skies and a Met Office weather warning for heavy rain meant the numbers of revellers who annually gather at the 5,000 year old stone circle to see the sunrise on the Summer Solstice was down on previous years. The solstice sunrise marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument(17 of41)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, in central southern England, on July 12, 2012. The site of Stonehenge is situated on Salisbury plain in an area of dense prehistoric activity dating back as early as 8,000 BC. The large sarsen stones for which the site is famous were erected during the Bronze Age between 2600 and 2400 BC within and amid earlier earthworks, postholes and smaller stones. in 1986 the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it remains the most wellknown prehistoric monument in Britain. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument(18 of41)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, in central southern England, on July 12, 2012. The site of Stonehenge is situated on Salisbury plain in an area of dense prehistoric activity dating back as early as 8,000 BC. The large sarsen stones for which the site is famous were erected during the Bronze Age between 2600 and 2400 BC within and amid earlier earthworks, postholes and smaller stones. in 1986 the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it remains the most wellknown prehistoric monument in Britain. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument(19 of41)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, in central southern England, on July 12, 2012. The site of Stonehenge is situated on Salisbury plain in an area of dense prehistoric activity dating back as early as 8,000 BC. The large sarsen stones for which the site is famous were erected during the Bronze Age between 2600 and 2400 BC within and amid earlier earthworks, postholes and smaller stones. in 1986 the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it remains the most wellknown prehistoric monument in Britain. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument(20 of41)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, in central southern England, on July 12, 2012. The site of Stonehenge is situated on Salisbury plain in an area of dense prehistoric activity dating back as early as 8,000 BC. The large sarsen stones for which the site is famous were erected during the Bronze Age between 2600 and 2400 BC within and amid earlier earthworks, postholes and smaller stones. in 1986 the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it remains the most wellknown prehistoric monument in Britain. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument(21 of41)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, in central southern England, on July 12, 2012. The site of Stonehenge is situated on Salisbury plain in an area of dense prehistoric activity dating back as early as 8,000 BC. The large sarsen stones for which the site is famous were erected during the Bronze Age between 2600 and 2400 BC within and amid earlier earthworks, postholes and smaller stones. in 1986 the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it remains the most wellknown prehistoric monument in Britain. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument(22 of41)
A picture shows the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, in central southern England, on July 12, 2012. The site of Stonehenge is situated on Salisbury plain in an area of dense prehistoric activity dating back as early as 8,000 BC. The large sarsen stones for which the site is famous were erected during the Bronze Age between 2600 and 2400 BC within and amid earlier earthworks, postholes and smaller stones. in 1986 the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it remains the most wellknown prehistoric monument in Britain. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE (Photo credit should read Andrew Cowie/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
The Olympic Torch Continues Its Journey Around The UK(23 of41)
SALISBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 12: Torchbearer Michael Johnson, the 400m world record holder and Olympic gold medallist, carries the Olympic Flame at Stonehenge as the Torch Relay passes through Wiltshire on day 55 of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay on July 12, 2012 near Salisbury, England. With just over two weeks to the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Olympic Flame is now on day 55 and the final leg of a 70-day relay involving 8,000 torchbearers covering 8,000 miles. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Druids Celebrate Winter Solstice At Stonehenge(24 of41)
AMESBURY, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: People gather to watch the sunrise as druids, pagans and revellers celebrate the winter solstice at Stonehenge on December 21, 2012 in Wiltshire, England. Predictions that the world will end today as it marks the end of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the ancient Maya calendar, encouraged a larger than normal crowd to gather at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-ARCHAEOLOGY-TOURISM-MUSEUM(25 of41)
Two children look at a computer-generated animation that allows people to stand in the centre of the prehistoric stone circle at various historical times, at the new Stonehenge visitors centre, near Amesbury in south west England on December 11, 2013. Stonehenge\'s new visitor centre opens on December 18 in time for the winter solstice, hoping to provide an improved experience for the million tourists that flock annually to Britain\'s most famous prehistoric monument. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
Druids Celebrate Winter Solstice At Stonehenge(26 of41)
WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Rollo Maughfling, Archdruid of Stonehenge & Britain, (R) conducts a ceremony as druids, pagans and revellers gather, hoping to see the sun rise as they take part in a winter solstice ceremony at Stonehenge on December 21, 2013 in Wiltshire, England. Despite the rain and wind, a large crowd gathered at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year - an event claimed to be more important in the pagan calendar than the summer solstice, because it marks the \'re-birth\' of the Sun for the New Year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
In Their Footsteps - Salisbury(27 of41)
AMESBURY, UK - APRIL 1: The best known pre-historic monument in Europe, Stonehenge is just a few kilometres from the Canadian camp on the Salisbury Plain and the soldiers routinely marched past it. At the outbreak of WW1, most Canadian soldiers came over to England and the Salisbury Plain (in the south) area for their final training before being shipped out to Belgium and France.\nApril 11, 2014 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) (credit:Richard Lautens via Getty Images)
In Their Footsteps - Salisbury(28 of41)
AMESBURY, UK - APRIL 11: Stonehenge, the 4,500 year old stone circle would have been well known to the Canadians training in the area as they would march past it on a regular basis. At the outbreak of WW1, most Canadian soldiers came over to England and the Salisbury Plain (in the south) area for their final training before being shipped out to Belgium and France. April 11, 2014 (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) (credit:Richard Lautens via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-LIFESTYLE-TRADITION-ARCHAEOLOGY-SOLSTICE(29 of41)
Revelers watch as the sun rises over the standing stones at the prehistoric monument Stonehenge, near Amesbury in Southern England, on June 21, 2014, as revelers gather to celebrate the 2014 summer solstice, marking the longest day of the year. The festival, which dates back thousands of years, celebrates the longest day of the year when the sun is at its maximum elevation. Modern druids and people gather at the landmark Stonehenge every year to see the sun rise on the first morning of summer. AFP PHOTO / GEOFF CADDICK (Photo credit should read GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:GEOFF CADDICK via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-LIFESTYLE-TRADITION-ARCHAEOLOGY-SOLSTICE(30 of41)
A modern druid named Merlin stands as the sun rises at the prehistoric monument Stonehenge, near Amesbury in Southern England, on June 21, 2014 as revelers gether to mark the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The festival, which dates back thousands of years, celebrates the longest day of the year when the sun is at its maximum elevation. Modern druids and people gather at the landmark Stonehenge every year to see the sun rise on the first morning of summer. AFP PHOTO / GEOFF CADDICK (Photo credit should read GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:GEOFF CADDICK via Getty Images)
Thousands Gather To Celebrate Summer Solstice At Stonehenge(31 of41)
WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: People gather to watch the Summer Solstice sunrise at Stonehenge on June 21, 2014 in Wiltshire, England. A sunny forecast brought thousands of revellers to the 5,000 year old stone circle in Wiltshire to see the sunrise on the Summer Solstice dawn. The solstice sunrise marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Getty Images) (credit:Tim Ireland via Getty Images)
Thousands Gather To Celebrate Summer Solstice At Stonehenge(32 of41)
WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: People take part in the summer solstice dawn celebrations after druids, pagans and revellers gathered for the Summer Solstice sunrise at Stonehenge on June 21, 2014 in Wiltshire, England. A sunny forecast brought thousands of revellers to the 5,000 year old stone circle in Wiltshire to see the sunrise on the Summer Solstice dawn. The solstice sunrise marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Getty Images) (credit:Tim Ireland via Getty Images)
Thousands Gather To Celebrate Summer Solstice At Stonehenge(33 of41)
WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: A woman enjoys the sunshine as people take part in the summer solstice dawn celebrations after druids, pagans and revellers gathered for the Summer Solstice sunrise at Stonehenge on June 21, 2014 in Wiltshire, England. A sunny forecast brought thousands of revellers to the 5,000 year old stone circle in Wiltshire to see the sunrise on the Summer Solstice dawn. The solstice sunrise marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Getty Images) (credit:Tim Ireland via Getty Images)
Thousands Gather To Celebrate Summer Solstice At Stonehenge(34 of41)
WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Revellers take part in celebrations to mark the summer solstice at Stonehenge prehistoric monument on June 21, 2014 in Wiltshire, England. An estimated 37,000 revellers and modern day druids gathered at Stonehenge, a tradition dating back thousands of years, to celebrate the solstice and watch the sunrise. (Photo by Rufus Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Rufus Cox via Getty Images)
Thousands Gather To Celebrate Summer Solstice At Stonehenge(35 of41)
WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Revellers watch sunrise over Stonehenge during celebrations to mark the summer solstice at the prehistoric monument on June 21, 2014 in Wiltshire, England. An estimated 37,000 revellers and modern day druids gathered at Stonehenge, a tradition dating back thousands of years, to celebrate the solstice and watch the sunrise. (Photo by Rufus Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Rufus Cox via Getty Images)
Thousands Gather To Celebrate Summer Solstice At Stonehenge(36 of41)
WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Revellers watch sunrise over Stonehenge during celebrations to mark the summer solstice at the prehistoric monument on June 21, 2014 in Wiltshire, England. An estimated 37,000 revellers and modern day druids gathered at Stonehenge, a tradition dating back thousands of years, to celebrate the solstice and watch the sunrise. (Photo by Rufus Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Rufus Cox via Getty Images)
Thousands Gather To Celebrate Summer Solstice At Stonehenge(37 of41)
WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - JUNE 21: Revellers watch sunrise over Stonehenge during celebrations to mark the summer solstice at the prehistoric monument on June 21, 2014 in Wiltshire, England. An estimated 37,000 revellers and modern day druids gathered at Stonehenge, a tradition dating back thousands of years, to celebrate the solstice and watch the sunrise. (Photo by Rufus Cox/Getty Images) (credit:Rufus Cox via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-US-OBAMA(38 of41)
US President Barack Obama tours Stonehenge in Amesbury, Wiltshire, England, September 5, 2014. Obama said Friday that EU and US sanctions against Russia would likely still be imposed despite a ceasefire in Ukraine, but could be lifted if it holds. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-US-OBAMA(39 of41)
US President Barack Obama tours Stonehenge in Amesbury, Wiltshire, England, September 5, 2014. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-US-OBAMA(40 of41)
US President Barack Obama greets locals as he tours Stonehenge in Amesbury, Wiltshire, England, September 5, 2014. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
BRITAIN-US-OBAMA(41 of41)
US President Barack Obama tours Stonehenge in Amesbury, Wiltshire, England, September 5, 2014. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:SAUL LOEB via Getty Images)
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