Mythical rings? Waun Mawn and Stonehenge Stage 1

A critical reassessment of Waun Mawn, a site in south-west Wales, challenges its interpretation as a dismantled stone circle linked to Stonehenge's Bluestone pillars. While Parker Pearson et al. (2021) proposed Waun Mawn as a source for the Aubrey Holes at Stonehenge, this study argues that alternative interpretations are viable. Waun Mawn is more likely a series of smaller ceremonial stone settings typical of the region, and the Aubrey Holes reflect an established post-and-pit circle sequence in south-west Wales. Though a Welsh origin for Stonehenge's stones cannot be ruled out, current evidence does not support this claim. The analysis relies on archaeological evidence and regional site comparisons to propose a revised understanding of Waun Mawn's role.

Darvill, T. (2022). Mythical rings? Waun Mawn and Stonehenge Stage 1. Antiquity, 96(390), 1515–1529. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2022.82