Smålandsstenar stone circles, Stone circle archaeological site in Villstads, Sweden.
Smålandsstenar consists of five stone circles arranged in geometric patterns, with the largest formation containing around 20 stones. The site represents a burial ground from the early Iron Age, with the stones still positioned as they were originally set.
These stone circles were erected between 500 and 300 BC during the early Iron Age when metal tools were becoming common. They reflect how funeral practices evolved and reveal the social structure of the communities that built them.
These stone formations served as burial grounds where ancient communities honored their dead through collective ritual. The arrangement shows how people organized themselves around shared beliefs and the importance they placed on remembering those who had passed.
The site sits along road 26, which connects communities across the region and makes it easy to visit on a drive through the area. Since the location is outdoors and requires walking between the stone circles, visitors should dress appropriately for changing weather.
The stones remain in their original positions exactly as they were deliberately placed over 2500 years ago. This means each stone has not been moved or rearranged, preserving the exact layout the ancient builders intended.
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