Archaeologists have discovered the collection of prehistoric standing stones at Stanton Drew (Somerset, England) is older than originally thought. During geophysical surveys last summer, they found the outline of a burial mound dated from nearly 1000 years before the stone circles.  The surveys were carried out by Bath and Camerton Archaeological Society and the council's Archaeological Officer.
     A dig last summer found a burial mound from 1000 years before the stone circle. Given the new dating, by John Oswin, the upright stones of the Cove  - the three large stones in the beer garden of the Druid's Arms - might be better explained as the portals or facade of a chambered tomb, similar to the Stoney Littleton long barrow near Wellow. Bath and North East Somerset Council's Archaeological Officer, Richard Sermon, said: "Stanton Drew has been much neglected compared to Avebury and Stonehenge. "This will raise its profile with the scholars and it [Stanton Drew] will be recognised as one of the major prehistoric sites in England."
     The full report can be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/yborfyf

Source: BBC Bristol (12 January 2010)