List of stone circles

A stone circle is a monument of stones arranged in a circle or ellipse. Such monuments have been constructed in many parts of the world throughout history for many different reasons. The best known tradition of stone circle construction occurred across the British Isles and Brittany in the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, with over 1000 surviving examples, including Avebury, the Ring of Brodgar and Stonehenge. Another prehistoric tradition occurred in southern Scandinavia during the Iron Age, where stone circles were built to be mortuary monuments to the dead. Outside Europe, examples of stone circles include the 6300~6900 BCE Atlit Yam in Israel and 3000~4000 BCE Gilgal Refaim nearby, and the Bronze Age monuments in Hong Kong. Stone circles also exist in a megalithic tradition located in Senegal and the Gambia.[1][2]

This is an incomplete photographic list of these stone circles.

Australia

See also Aboriginal stone arrangement Stone circles in Australia are sometimes revered as sacred sites by the Australian Aboriginal people. While often small, there are some large stones comparable to their European counterparts, particularly in Victoria. While some are small and not well attended, others are well-known, for instance the stone arrangements in Victoria at Carisbrook and Lake Bolac.[3]

Brazil

See also Parque Arqueológico do Solstício.[4]

Astronomical Observatory of Calçoene


Britain, Ireland and Brittany

Aubrey Burl's gazetteer lists 1,303 stone circles in Britain, Ireland and Brittany. Most of these are found in Scotland, with 508 sites recorded. There are 343 on the island of Ireland;316 in England; 81 in Wales; 49 in Brittany; and 6 in the Channel Isles.[5]

Channel Islands

Aubrey Burl records six sites in the Channel Islands, four on Guernsey and two on Jersey. All six are Cist-in-Circle monuments, which are influenced by chambered tomb design. Their relationship with the stone circle tradition of Britain, Ireland and Brittany is unclear.[6]

Guernsey
La Plate Mare

Jersey
Ville-ès-Nouaux

Cornwall
Boscawen-Un – Stone circle with a leaning pillar in its interior.
 Boskednan – a partially restored stone circle near Boskednan, around 6 kilometres (4 miles) northwest of the town of Penzance.
 Craddock Moor – near Minions on Bodmin Moor, 800 m (1⁄2 mi) northwest of The Hurlers.
 Duloe – in the village of Duloe, 8 km (5 mi) from Looe.
 Emblance Downs stone circles – a pair of circles located in the parish of St. Breward on Bodmin Moor.
 Fernacre – located on the slopes of the De Lank River, 2 km (1 1⁄4 mi) northeast of St Breward on Bodmin Moor.
 The Hurlers are a group of three stone circles on Bodmin Moor.
 The Merry Maidens – near St Buryan in West Penwith.
 Nine Stones, Altarnun – 3 km (2 mi) south southeast of Altarnun, 11 km (7 mi) west of Launceston on Bodmin Moor.
 Stannon – near St Breward on Bodmin Moor.
 Tregeseal East – also known as the Tregeseal Dancing Stones, near St Just in West Penwith.
 Trippet stones – Manor Common in Blisland, 9 km (5.6 mi) north northeast of Bodmin on Bodmin Moor.

Cumbria
Birkrigg – Two non-concentric circles, 3 km (2 mi) south of Ulverston: grid reference SD 29247396
 Brat's Hill – The largest of the Burnmoor stone circles: 1.6 km (1 mi) south of Boot.
 Castlerigg – A 33-metre-diameter (108 ft) ring consisting of 38 stones.
 Gamelands – Near Orton, Eden: grid reference NY640081.
 Kinniside – A reconstructed stone circle of 11 stones, grid reference NY060140.
 Long Meg and Her Daughters – Around 51 stones set in an oval shape measuring 100 m (330 ft) on its long axis.
 Low Longrigg circles – Two of the Burnmoor stone circles: 2 km (1 mi) south of Boot.
 Oddendale – Part of the Shap Stone Avenue monuments: (grid reference NY59201290).
 Swinside – A near perfect circle located in Lake District.
 White Moss stone circles – Two of the Burnmoor stone circles: 1.6 km (1 mi) south of Boot.

Derbyshire
Arbor Low – near Youlgreave in Derbyshire.
 Barbrook One – on Ramsley Moor in the Peak District: grid reference SK27857558.
 Doll Tor – near Birchover in Derbyshire.
 Hordron Edge – on the edge of Moscar Moor: grid reference SK2152486851.
 Nine Ladies – Nine stones located on Stanton Moor.
 Nine Stones Close – between Alport and winster: grid reference SK225626.

Devon
Brisworthy stone circle
 Grey Wethers stone circles
 Ringmoor Down
 Scorhill
 Shovel Down
Tottiford Reservoir
 Yellowmead stone circle

Dorset
Kingston Russell – An 18-stone Bronze Age circle near Abbotsbury. 50°41′18.7″N 2°35′56.2″W
 Rempstone stone circle – a damaged stone circle near Corfe Castle in Dorset. It is located next to the B3351 road on the Isle of Purbeck: grid reference SY994820.
 The Nine Stones – A small nine stone circle near Winterbourne Abbas.

Lancashire
Cheetham Close – Image of one of the remaining stones at this Druidic, Bronze Age site on the picturesque moors of Egerton, Bolton.

Northumberland
Duddo Five Stones – 6 km (4 mi) south of the Scottish border, formerly known as the Four Stones.
 The Goatstones – a Bronze-age four-poster near the village of Wark on Tyne.

Oxfordshire
The King's Men – one of three monuments that make up the Rollright Stones, found near the village of Long Compton.

Shropshire
Mitchell's Fold – A 30 stone ring (15 still standing).

Somerset
Stanton Drew – One of three circles located near the village of Stanton Drew.
 Withypool Stone Circle – Located on the Exmoor moorland, near the village of Withypool. Only the stones present on the two ends of the circle are visible.

West Yorkshire
Twelve Apostles, West Yorkshire – grid reference SE12614506

Wiltshire
Avebury – A large stone circle surround the village of Avebury.
 Stonehenge – A World Heritage site.

Down
Ballynoe stone circle

Fermanagh
Drumskinny stone circle

Tyrone
Beaghmore – Located outside Cookstown. Seven circles, along with cairns and stone rows. One circle, known as the Dragon's Teeth, is filled with more than 800 small stones.

Republic of Ireland
See also: List of axial multiple-stone circles and List of axial five-stone circles

There are 187 stone circles in the Republic of Ireland. The vast majority of these are in County Cork, which has 103 circles. There are 20 circles in County Kerry and 11 in County Mayo.[7]

Cork
Ardgroom SW – Known locally as "Canfea", located southwest of the village of Ardgroom on the Beara peninsula.
Breeny More Stone Circle
 Carrigagulla – About 18 stones located to the north of the village of Ballinagree.
Carrigaphooca stone circle – 3 stones located next to Carrigaphooca Castle.
 Derreenataggart stone circle
 Drombeg stone circle – Located west of Rosscarbery.
 Kealkill stone circle – Located overlooking Bantry Bay.
 Knocknakilla – Located between Macroom and Millstreet.
 Glantane east – Located between Macroom and Millstreet.
 Templebryan Stone Circle – Located between Bandon and Millstreet.

Donegal
Beltany stone circle

Kerry
Kenmare stone circle
 Lissyvigeen stone circle
 Shronebirrane stone circle

Aberdeen City
Tyrebagger stone circle grid reference NJ 85950 13217.

Aberdeenshire
See also: List of recumbent stone circles
 Cullerlie stone circle near Echt, Aberdeenshire.
 Easter Aquhorthies recumbent stone circle, near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.
 Kirkton of Bourtie recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ 80091 24883.
 Hill of Fiddes recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ 9350 2432.
 Inschfield recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ 6233 2934.
 Loanhead of Daviot recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire.
 Loudon Wood recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ 96105 49740.
 Midmar Kirk recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ 69940 06493.
 Old Keig stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ 5965 1939.
 New Craig recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ 7455 2966.
 The Nine Stanes, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NO 7233 9122.
 Potterton recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ95291636.
 South Ley Lodge recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ76671325.
 St Brandan's Stanes, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ60756105.
 Strichen stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ9367454479.
 Stonehead recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ60102869.
 Sunhoney, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ7159205701.
 Tillyfourie recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire: grid reference NJ64311350.
 Tomnaverie recumbent stone circle, Aberdeenshire.

Angus
Balkemback stone circle, Tealing: grid reference NO38183844.
 Colmeallie stone circle, grid reference NO56567811.

Argyll and Bute
Cultoon stone circle, Islay: grid reference NR19565697.
 Ettrick Bay stone circle, Bute: grid reference NS0443466794.
 Lochbuie stone circle, Mull: grid reference NM6178025117.
 Temple Wood stone circles, grid reference NR82639782.

Dumfries and Galloway
For a more comprehensive list, see List of stone circles in Dumfries and Galloway.

Aubrey Burl lists 43 stone circles in Dumfries and Galloway: 15 in Dumfriesshire; 19 in Kirkcudbrightshire; and 9 in Wigtonshire.[7] The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland records 49 stone circles in the region. Of these 49, 24 are listed as 'possible'; one is an 18th-century construction; and a number have been destroyed.[8]

 The Girdle Stanes Near Eskdalemuir:grid reference NY2535196153
 Glenquicken Near Creetown:grid reference NX50965821
 Lochmaben Stone Just south of Gretna
 The Loupin Stanes Near Eskdalemuir:grid reference NY25709663
 Seven Brethren Near Lockerbie: grid reference NY21718269
 Standing Stones of Glenterrow Between Stranraer and New Luce:grid reference NX14536251
 Twelve Apostles Stone Circle, situated between Holywood and Newbridge, near Dumfries.
 Torhouskie
 Whitcastles stone circle 10.5 km (6 1⁄2 mi) northeast of Lockerbie: grid reference NY 2240 8806

North Ayrshire

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland records 20 stone circles in North Ayrshire, all on Arran.[9] Five of these are listed as 'possible'.[9] Aubrey Burrel's gazetteer records 19 stone circles on Arran.[7]

 Auchagallon Stone Circle Arran grid reference NR89283464
 Aucheleffan Arran grid reference NR 9784 2505
 Machrie Moor 1 Arran grid reference NR9119832393
 Machrie Moor 2 Arran grid reference NR9113032420
 Machrie Moor 3 Arran grid reference NR9100632457
 Machrie Moor 4 Arran grid reference NR9100132355
 Machrie Moor 5 Arran grid reference NR9087832353
 Machrie Moor 11 Arran grid reference NR9121232416

Orkney

There are two stone circles on Orkney, both on the Mainland.[10] The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland records a possible third at Stoneyhill, also on the Mainland.[11]

 Ring of Brodgar – A 60 stone ring (27 still standing).
 Standing Stones of Stenness, Orkney

Perth and Kinross
Croft Moraig – 6 km (4 mi) southwest of Aberfeldy, Scotland (grid reference NN79754726).

Scottish Borders
For a more comprehensive list, see List of stone circles in the Scottish Borders.

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland records 16 stone circles in the Scottish Borders. Of these, three are marked as 'possible'.[12] Aubrey Burl's gazetteer lists the same number: 2 in Berwickshire; 2 in Peebleshire; 10 in Roxburghshire; and 2 in Selkirkshire.[7]

 Five Stanes grid reference NT75261686
 Harestanes grid reference NT12404432
 Ninestane Rig

Shetland

Aubrey Burl's gazetteer lists seven sites in Shetland, but notes that all are dubious.[13] The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland records three stone circles.[14] It does not include Hjaltadans, which is instead categorised as a 'stone setting'.[15]

 Hjaltadans Fetlar

Stirling
Killin – at the western end of Loch Tay (grid reference NN576327).
Lewis
Callanish I Lewis.
 Callanish II Lewis, a smaller stone circle.
 Callanish III Lewis, a smaller stone circle.
 Callanish IV Lewis, a smaller stone circle.
 Callanish VIII Lewis, a smaller stone semicircle.
North Uist
Pobull Fhinn North Uist, grid reference NF8427465010.

Wales
Moel Tŷ Uchaf Llandrillo, Denbighshire. 52.92°N 3.40°W / 52.92; -3.40
 Bryn Cader Faner, Gwynedd 52.8982°N 4.0114°W / 52.8982; -4.0114
 Bryn Gwyn stones, Anglesey 52.8982°N 4.0114°W / 52.8982; -4.0114

Bulgaria
Dolni Glavanak Cromlech (8th-7th century BCE)

Morocco
Mzoura Cromlech (5th to 4th century BC)

Japan
Main article: Ōyu_Stone_Circles

Ōyu Stone Circles Ōyu Stone Circles (大湯環状列石 Ōyu Kanjyō Resseki) is a late Jōmon period (approx. 2,000 – 1,500 BC) archaeological site in the city of Kazuno, Akita Prefecture, in the Tōhoku regionof northern Japan. The site consists of two large stone circleslocated on an artificially flattened plateau on the left bank of the Oyu River, a tributary of the Yoneshiro River in northeastern Akita Prefecture. The site was discovered in 1931, with detailed archaeological excavations taking place in 1946, and in 1951-1952.

The larger circle, named the “Manza” circle has a diameter of 46 meters, and is the largest stone circle found in Japan. A number of reconstructions of Jomon period dwellings have been built around the site. The slightly smaller circle, named the “Nonakado” circle, is 42 meters in diameter and is located around 90 meters away, separated from the “Manza” circle by Akita Prefectural Route 66. Each circle is made from rounded river stones brought from another river approximately 7 kilometers away. Each circle in concentric, with and inner and an outer ring separated by an open strip approximately 8 meters wide.[16]Each circle contains smaller clusters of stone, including standing stones surrounded by elongated stones in a radiating orientation, forming a sundial which points toward the sunset on the summer solstice and allows for calculation of the winter solstice, the vernal equinox and the sun's movements.[17]


Each circle is surrounded by the remains of buildings, storage pits and garbage dumps, and clay figurines, clayware and stoneware (including everyday pottery), stone swords and objects have been discovered. Although the form of the stone circles made have been based on the shape of circular settlements, there is no indication of permanent settlement on the site.

The site has been submitted for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the Jōmon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidō, Northern Tōhoku, and other regions.

Poland
Odry – Odry in Poland.

Syria
Rujm el-Hiri (4~3000 BCE) – Located northeast of the Sea of Galilee.

See also

References
  1. McIntosh, Susan Keech; McIntosh, Roderick J. (1993). "Field survey in the tumulus zone of Senegal". The African Archaeological Review. 11–11: 73–107. doi:10.1007/BF01118143. S2CID 129660313.
  2. Parker, Henry (1923). "Stone Circles in Gambia". The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. 53: 173–228. doi:10.2307/2843758. JSTOR 2843758.
  3. Long, A. & Schell, P., 1999, Lake Bolac stone arrangement (AAV 7422-394); management plan. An unpublished report to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
  4. "Agence France Presse (AFP)". doi:10.1163/9789004337862_lgbo_com_010242. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. Aubrey, Burl (2000). The Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany. New Haven; London: Yale University Press. p. 395. ISBN 978-0300083477.
  6. Burl, Aubrey (2000). The Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany. New Haven; London: Yale University Press. pp. 403. ISBN 978-0300083477. The Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany.
  7. Burl, Aubrey (2000). The Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany. New Haven; London: Yale University Press. pp. 394. ISBN 978-0300083477. The Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany.
  8. "Canmore Advanced Search: Stone Circle: Dumfries and Galloway". Retrieved 2014-12-31.
  9. "Canmore Advanced Search: Stone Circle: North Ayrshire". Retrieved 2015-03-19.
  10. Burl, Aubrey (2000). The Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany. New Haven: Yale University Press. p. 210.
  11. "Canmore: Stoneyhill". Retrieved 2015-03-19.
  12. "Canmore Advanced Search: Stone Circle: Scottish Borders". Retrieved 2014-12-31.
  13. Burl, Aubrey (2005). A Guide to the Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany. New Haven; London: Yale University Press. p. 214.
  14. "Canmore Advanced Search: Stone Circle: Shetland Islands". Retrieved 2015-01-12.
  15. "Canmore: Fetlar, Gravins, Fidler's Crus". Retrieved 2015-01-12.
  16. Naumann, Nelly (2000). Japanese Prehistory: The Material and Spiritual Culture of the Jōmon Period. Asien-und Afrika-Studien der Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin (Book 6). Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 36–37. ISBN 3447043296.
  17. Habu, Junko (2000). Ancient Jomon of Japan. Cambridge University Press. p. 184. ISBN 0521776708.
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