Archaeologists have applied a novel cosmogenic aluminum-26 surface exposure dating technique to several enigmatic henge monuments across the English Midlands. This high-precision methodology has allowed researchers to pinpoint the construction phases of these earthworks with decadal accuracy, resolving long-standing debates regarding their chronological relationship to major sites like Avebury.
The study reveals that the Midlands hinges were constructed during a brief, intense period of social collaboration between 2950 and 2910 BCE. This finding suggests a rapid, large-scale diffusion of ritual practices across the British Isles, driven by a period of climatic stability that facilitated inter-regional travel and labor organization.