The Merry Maidens, Neolithic stone circle near St Buryan, England
The Merry Maidens features nineteen granite stones arranged in a perfect circle with a diameter of twenty-four meters on Cornwall's landscape.
Archaeological evidence indicates the stone circle was constructed during the late Neolithic period, approximately four thousand years ago, serving ceremonial purposes.
Local residents named the site Dans Maen, meaning Stone Dance in Cornish, referring to the arrangement of nineteen granite megaliths in the field.
The stone circle stands next to the B3315 road between Newlyn and Land's End, with two additional standing stones called The Pipers located northeast.
Each stone in the circle measures between 0.9 to 1.4 meters tall, with their tops carefully leveled to face toward the center point.
Location: St Buryan
GPS coordinates: 50.06513,-5.58878
Latest update: May 11, 2025 00:40
Stone circles are megalithic structures from prehistoric times. These monuments served as astronomical observation points and gathering places. The constructions demonstrate the technical abilities of early societies. The stones were placed and aligned with precision. Many of these circles connect to solstices and star constellations.
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