Priddy Circles, Prehistoric earthwork circles in Mendip Hills, England
Priddy Circles are four large circular enclosures lined up across the Mendip Hills, each measuring approximately 185 to 194 meters in diameter. Each structure features an outer ditch that defines its boundary and distinguishes it from other prehistoric monument types.
The site dates to around 2500 BCE during the Beaker period of the Bronze Age, a time of significant social development. Their construction using earth, stones, and wooden posts required substantial labor and planning from the communities that built them.
The location likely served as a gathering place where people from the surrounding region came together for ceremonies or meetings. The elevated position made it visible from afar and created a natural focal point for communities.
Three of the four circles sit on private farmland near the B3135 road, with the fourth positioned closer to the B3134 toward Burrington Combe. The site is accessible via several walking routes through the area, making it easy to view the structures from the surrounding hills.
What stands out is that the four circles are arranged in a perfectly straight line, a feature rarely seen in similar prehistoric monuments elsewhere. This deliberate linear arrangement suggests careful planning and distinguishes them from most other Bronze Age circular structures in Britain.
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