Archaeologists have recently uncovered hundreds of pits near Stonehenge that they believe were used by prehistoric hunters. Some of the sites are said to be more than 10,000 years old! This discovery indicates that this globally known prehistoric site has been used by humans even longer than previously thought!
The Discovery
The discovery was made by researchers from the University of Birmingham and Ghent University. The researchers used a variety of tools like innovative geophysical sensors as well as the more conventional electromagnetic induction instruments. According to the researchers, the pits date back to between 8,200 BCE and 7800 BCE and show signs of hunter-gatherers roaming the land during the early Mesolithic period. Paul Garwood, a senior lecturer of prehistory at the University of Birmingham, stated that the find wasn’t just a snapshot in time. He added that the archaeology detected was actually the result of changing occupation of the landscape over time. Previously, Stonehenge has been known as a burial site due to the bodies found in the area but this latest find indicates it was also a hunting ground.
The Prehistoric Pits
Researchers unearthed almost 400 pits in the area, each measuring over 2.5 meters. One of the pits is suspected to be the oldest trace of land usage to have been discovered at Stonehenge. Researchers have cast their suspicions about the pit being used for hunting large game like aurochs, wild boar, and red deer. The pits might also be the largest ones from the Early Mesolithic times found in northwest Europe. Dr. Nick Snashall, an archaeologist at Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site added that this discovery also indicates that these pits were a special place for communities of hunter-gatherers before the stones were erected. With this find, it seems that the secrets of Stonehenge are still hiding beneath the surface.
A Family Is Spreading Messages of Hope With a “Unity” Mailbox
People often send thoughtful messages to one another, but these days, most of them are electronic and through social media. A father and son from Chesterland, Ohio took a different and more traditional approach to the sending of messages of hope to others. They decided to create a “Unity” mailbox.
A Unity Mailbox to Spread Peace
The idea was to set up a unity mailbox to share messages of love and kindness with others. The family wanted to do their part to spread peace and understanding in the area. Anyone can go by the mailbox and write their inspirational message.
They hope to inspire people to write a message for someone else and take a message for themselves. The family mentioned that they are looking for any kind of message that they want to share with their community or ideas that they want to get out there in order to better themselves and others.
Another main reason for this mailbox was to help get people off social media for a bit. Since people are staying indoors more, they’re being consumed by electronics and social media, so being able to write down a message on paper and give it to someone else is a different kind of outlet.
Leave One, Take One
The unity mailbox was set up with the idea of “leave one, take one” so that there is always a message for the next person. The family put the word “unity” on the side of it so that people are certain which one to open.
It’s located on Mayfield Road in Chesterland, Ohio, which is where the family is from and wants to spread peace.
This gesture was a way for the family to help others on an inspirational level despite all the things going on in the world. It’s a traditional outlet that not many people turn to these days.