Chilling ‘halls of the dead’ find in UK marks ‘discovery of a lifetime’

In the picturesque Wye Valley of Herefordshire, a series of remarkable archaeological discoveries have significantly deepened our understanding of Neolithic life and death rituals.

At the heart of these findings are the “halls of the dead,” two timber structures dating back approximately 6,000 years, unearthed on Dorstone Hill, near the village of Peterchurch.

These structures, believed to have been constructed between 4000 and 3600 BC, were deliberately burned and subsequently covered with burial mounds, indicating a ritualistic transformation from communal use to funerary purposes.

The larger of the two halls revealed well-preserved remnants of structural timbers, postholes, and stakes from internal partitions, suggesting a complex design possibly used for communal gatherings or ceremonies.

The smaller structure contained a mortuary chamber crafted from tree trunks and a plank-lined trough, likely intended to house the deceased prior to burial.

These discoveries, made in 2013 by a team co-directed by Professor of Archaeology from The University of Manchester Julian Thomas and Dr Keith Ray Herefordshire Council’s County Archaeologist, offer a tangible connection between domestic architecture and burial practices in Neolithic Britain. It implies that early communities may have repurposed their dwellings into tombs as part of their funerary customs.

Further excavations in the area have unveiled additional Neolithic structures, most notably Arthur’s Stone, a renowned chambered tomb situated on a hilltop near Dorstone. Dating to around 3700 BC, Arthur’s Stone comprises large stone slabs forming a chamber that was originally covered by an earthen mound. Recent studies have established a connection between this monument and the nearby “halls of the dead,” suggesting an integrated ceremonial landscape in the region.

The excavations at Arthur’s Stone are part of the Beneath Hay Bluff Project, a collaborative initiative involving the University of Manchester, Cardiff University, and Herefordshire Council. Since 2010, this project has been investigating early prehistoric sites in southwest Herefordshire, aiming to shed light on the social and ceremonial practices of Britain’s first farming communities.

Professor Thomas said: “This find is of huge significance to our understanding of prehistoric life- so we’re absolutely delighted. It makes a link between the house and a tomb more forcefully than any other investigation that has been ever carried out. These early Neolithic halls are already extremely rare, but to find them within a long barrow is the discovery of a lifetime.”

He added: “The mound tells us quite a bit about the people who built it: they sought to memorialise the idea of their community represented by the dwelling. And by turning it into part of the landscape, it becomes a permanent reminder for generations to come. Just think of how the burning of the hall could have been seen for miles around, in the large expanse of what is now the border country between England and Wales.”

The findings have significantly enriched our comprehension of Neolithic life in the Wye Valley, highlighting the intricate rituals and architectural practices of early agricultural societies in Britain.

The deliberate burning of timber halls and their subsequent conversion into burial mounds reflect a profound cultural emphasis on ancestral veneration and the sanctity of communal spaces.

As well as this, the spatial relationship between Arthur’s Stone and the “halls of the dead” indicates a thoughtfully organised ceremonial landscape, underscoring the sophisticated societal structures of these early communities.

The ongoing research in this region continues to unveil the complexities of Neolithic life, offering invaluable insights into the evolution of social and ceremonial behaviours during a pivotal period in human history.