A thousand-year-old enigma: The mysterious stone circle of Devil's Quoits

The stone circle known as Devil's Quoits, situated in Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire, England, allures researchers with its age-old puzzle. Though it is thought to hail from the 12th century Neolithic Period, the true purpose of this Scheduled Ancient Monument remains a conundrum. The stone circle, comprising 36 stones initially, has undergone numerous alterations throughout the centuries, as many stones were removed by the end of the medieval era.

Enclosed by a ditch with opposed entrances, the second northern enclosing ditch stirs further curiosity, as its purpose remains unexplained. Archaeological excavations from 1972, 1973, and 1988 laid bare a comprehensive plan of the site, disclosing recurring use and deposition. However, the identity of the people who initially constructed and used this monument continues to baffle researchers, as the site was heavily damaged during the construction of an airfield in 1940, along with subsequent gravel extraction.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons