Archaeologists working at the Senegambian Stone Circles have uncovered a series of previously unknown "red-clay" offering pits. These features, located just outside the main megalithic arrangements, contain concentrated layers of charred pearl millet and ritualistic pottery dating back over 1,500 years. The findings suggest these sites served as central hubs for massive harvest festivals that coincided with the summer solstice.
The presence of rare pigments and iron tools within the pits indicates that these celebrations were not just agricultural but involved complex spiritual rituals intended to ensure the return of seasonal rains. This discovery provides the first physical evidence linking the megalithic structures to specific seasonal festival calendars used by ancient Sahelian communities.