Aerial Photos Reveal 4,000-Year-Old Hidden Stone Circle in Belfast Ritual Landscape

Archaeologists have identified a previously unknown stone circle dating to at least 4,000 years ago in the countryside just outside Belfast. The feature emerged from subtle cropmarks that were highlighted in aerial photographs, offering a fresh glimpse into one of Northern Ireland’s most extensive prehistoric ritual zones.

The site lies within the Ballynahatty Ritual Complex, a landscape already dotted with roughly 50 documented monuments. Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast are directing the excavation, which also enlists local volunteers and school pupils to probe the expanded footprint suggested by the aerial data.

Preliminary results confirm that the newly exposed monument belongs to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age. The work is being carried out under the Community Archaeology Programme Northern Ireland (CAPNI) and is financed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Airborne Imaging Unveils Subsurface Anomalies

A detailed review of aerial photographs revealed a series of cropmarks that stretched beyond the known elements of the Ballynahatty Complex, indicating that the ancient ceremonial area was far more extensive than previously thought.

Brian Sloan, of the School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen’s University Belfast, said the imagery prompted the team to investigate the field, where excavation quickly verified the presence of a prehistoric stone circle.

Sloan also referenced earlier work by Barrie Hartwell in the 1990s, which uncovered a so‑called “Neolithic Temple” at the Giant’s Ring. That investigation revealed a sizable timber circle surrounding an internal platform used for the excarnation of human remains.

“We came across aerial photography of the area and noticed a number of crop marks in the field, which suggested the Ballynahatty Ritual Complex extended further than we first thought.” He said. “We decided to dig deeper and work with community volunteers and schoolchildren to try to piece together the area’s hidden history.”

New Stone Circle Adds Layer to Ancient Landscape

The excavation confirms that the monument dates to the Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age, yet no burial material has been recovered so far.

Queen’s University Belfast explains that the circle forms part of the broader Ballynahatty Ritual Complex, which occupies the southern end of the Malone Ridge. Sloan noted that much of the stone circle suffered damage in the 19th century when farmers dismantled ancient structures that interfered with agricultural activities.

Stone circles continue to puzzle researchers. Sloan emphasized that their construction would have demanded considerable labor, while their exact purpose remains a matter of scholarly debate.

“The function of stone circles remains a bit of a mystery. A great deal of effort is required to construct them, but what they were actually used for is open to debate. There is a chance that they were used for religious ceremonies, gathering at certain times of the year,” he explained.

He added that sites such as Beaghmore in County Tyrone display astronomical alignments that may have functioned as prehistoric calendars.

Community Dig Brings Past to Life

Over the past month, local volunteers and schoolchildren have joined the archaeological team, enduring bouts of heavy rain and intense sunshine while helping to uncover the ancient feature.

“It has been fantastic to work alongside community volunteers and schoolchildren to try to piece together the history that lies beneath us. They have battled both heavy rain and scorching sunshine over the last few weeks, and we’re delighted with what they’ve helped uncover,” Sloan said.

A highlight of the fieldwork came when Harper, a pupil at Finaghy Primary School, uncovered a broken arrowhead within the trench. The investigation remains active as researchers continue to explore the stone circle’s role within the wider prehistoric environment surrounding Belfast.