Story perspectives

Geophysical Survey Reveals Hundreds of Hidden Stonehenge Monuments

6/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Archaeologist Vincent Gaffney of the University of Bradford mapped a 12–20 km² area around Stonehenge, revealing numerous hidden monuments.
He employed magnetometers, ground-penetrating radar and other imaging devices to sweep the landscape.
The survey uncovered ceremonial enclosures, burial mounds and ditches, showing the region’s major ceremonial significance.
It constituted the largest geophysical survey of a World Heritage site and overturns earlier views that the surrounding area was empty or taboo.

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Story summary

Archaeologist Vincent Gaffney of the University of Bradford mapped a 12–20 km² area around Stonehenge, revealing numerous hidden monuments.
He employed magnetometers, ground-penetrating radar and other imaging devices to sweep the landscape.
The survey uncovered ceremonial enclosures, burial mounds and ditches, showing the region’s major ceremonial significance.
It constituted the largest geophysical survey of a World Heritage site and overturns earlier views that the surrounding area was empty or taboo.