Amazing Stone Henge-Hog Discovery at Stonehenge
Researchers have unearthed an amazing new discovery for what has been dubbed as the “Stone Henge-Hog” — the first ever statuette, idol or carving of an animate creature at Stonehenge — an animal carved from chalk which appears at first sight to be a “pig with floppy ears,” now believed to possibly be a hedgehog.
Stone Henge-Hog. Photo Copyright Chris Kerns
Archaeologists from the Stonehenge Riverside Project discovered this fascinating find while digging to the west of Stonehenge in what’s come to be known as the “Palisade Ditch.”
During the excavation, the researchers uncovered the top of what was clearly a human skull belonging to a child, which later revealed to be the grave of an infant estimated to be around 3 years old, believed to be from the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age. The “Stone Henge-Hog” was found near the top of the pit in which the infant was buried.
Palisade ditch where the 2 child burials and carved chalk figurine were discovered.
Photo Copyright Pete Glastonbury
“It seems plausible that the carving may have been placed on the top of the burial pit. This may have been an offering or some sort of protective iconography, or possibly just some sort of grave marker.” said archaeologist Chris Kerns, of Manchester University, who is working on the Stonehenge Riverside Project.
“I’m sure eventually there will be some thoroughly thought out theories of its purpose, but for now, much of it is speculation.” he added.
As the archaeologists gradually cleared away the soil, the statuette was found roughly halfway down the child’s body, suggesting that it may have even been left there clutched in the infant’s tiny hands.
Photo Copyright Chris Kerns
Photo Copyright Chris Kerns
While much remains unknown at this time about the significance of this figurine, Dennis Price, an authority on the history of Stonehenge, suggests that it may have been the child’s favorite plaything, lovingly carved from chalk by a doting father, then placed in the grave to keep his child company in the afterlife.
“I know the bare minimum about the burial of this child at Stonehenge, but there can be nothing worse in the world of humans, or animals for that matter, than to witness the death of your offspring and to have to release them forever into the cold embrace of the grave.”
“I couldn’t help wondering what grim sequence of events had to these remains ending up in such a desolate place.” Dennis remarked.
Stone Henge-Hog as seen from the front and above. Photo Copyright Pete Glastonbury
Stone Henge-Hog’s underside. Photo Copyright Pete Glastonbury
But Dennis does offer a number of possibilities to further explain the hedgehog’s significance. “Hedgehogs are largely nocturnal creatures, so it may have been placed there as a guide in the dark, or even as a guardian.” he said.
“Another possible function for the carving could be some kind of talisman to keep away the disintegration of the body, considering hedgehogs eat worms and worms in their turn are part and parcel of the consuming grave.”
In further possibilities, “Hedgehogs notably hibernate and sleep through the long nights of the winter, so it may have been a symbol of rebirth and reawakening.”
“I believe that Stonehenge was first and foremost a place of the dead, but it’s not sufficient to view the monument solely as a place of shadows, spirits and ancestor worship. It seems to me that if Stonehenge was a place of death to our ancestors, then it’s highly likely that it would have been a place steeped in profound sorrow.”
“This sensation may well have been ameliorated to some extent by the bereaved gazing up at the stars with some expectancy and hope that there was another life up there somewhere.”
Site of the palisade child burials, where the carved chalk figurine was also found.
Photo Copyright Pete Glastonbury
The expert went on to say that Stonehenge was undoubtedly the scene of violent death on at least 2 occasions — a Sentinel found in the ditch and a man from the Saxon era who had been beheaded — and believes there were more throughout prehistory.
“If we think of Stonehenge as a place of the dead or a royal cemetery, then this has melancholy overtones, while the phantasmal notion that the sick, injured and diseased laboriously made their way to Stonehenge in the vain hope of a cure for their ills hardly brightens the picture or banishes the shadows.”
“Amid the aura of gloom that surrounds and permeates this incredible monument, it comes as a beam of light to find a child’s toy lovingly placed with the tiny corpse to keep them amused and offer company through eternity.”
Hedgehogs and Tradition
Folklore deals with these creatures as being associated with farming in the area. In Scotland, Lewis Spence noted that folklore has them connected to the spirit of the corn, the wee beast was met by reapers in the fields, “had the appearance of gray stone that could change its shape and lived amongst the corn.” He concludes the hedgehog was identified as such because it was “certainly a surrogate of the earth-monster.”
Hedgehog babies
But Dennis is uncertain of any rituals or tradition pertaining to hedgehogs in the area.
“I’m not aware of hedgehogs having any significance in any pagan tradition, nor have I ever heard of hedgehogs mentioned in connection with Stonehenge, so this discovery must rank as yet another unique and baffling aspect of the most famous and instantly recognizable prehistoric monument on Earth.”
“Hedgehogs have long been used as food by rolling them in clay, then baking them to remove the spines, but I find it hard to envisage this creature being placed in a child’s grave to provide symbolic sustenance in an afterlife.” says Dennis.
“What I do know is that the person who lovingly created Stone Henge-Hog went to great pains to carve an endearing creature from the chalk, complete with snout, coat, possibly eyes and little legs, and that this tiny creature was of enormous value to the child with whom it was buried and to the grieving parents who placed it there.”
Long-eared hedgehog. Photo Leningrad Zoo.
Stone Henge-Hog came to light as a result of the careful work by archaeologists working on the Stonehenge Riverside Project.
“The most important things from my point of view are that this dig was carried out by the Stonehenge Riverside Project, who open their excavations to the world and who do everything they can to inform the public.” says Dennis.
The archeologists had also been re-digging an Aubrey Hole from August 26th through September 1st to recover and analyze prehistoric cremations put there by archaeologists in 1935.
Excavations will be carried on at Stonehenge Down — west of Stonehenge — for the remains of a large settlement which was originally enclosed behind a wooden palisade. The researchers suggest the area may have been inhabited by the builders of the earliest Stonehenge around 3,000 B.C.
Dennis Price is a highly acclaimed archaeologist and expert on the history of Stonehenge, who chronicles his and other researcher’s findings at Eternal Idol — the only site that regularly posts detailed and up to date information on the excavations and the ruins themselves, “in a largely unofficial capacity.”
“I’m certain that Stonehenge is the single most amazing site on the face of the Earth.” says Dennis.
While he may not be on anyone’s paid roster, he does much to provide the latest information possible for Stonehenge enthusiasts around the world. Visit his website to learn more.
Stone Henge-Hog image credits copyright Chris Kerns. Palisade excavation photographs copyright Pete Glastonbury 2008.
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interesting. :O does look a bit like a pig or a hedgehog.
Dugg this amazing story! After spending time inside Stonehenge many years ago, I’m convinced it’s a most magical place with so many mysteries yet to uncover.
I can see it a little bit. It just may be a little eroded.
Looks too big, I think its supposed to be a pig really.
I’m envious Kuanyin, I would love to see it myself
Unfortunately, I think that you can only view it from a distance now.
Being buried in the earth for centuries can play a big part in that, Stan
Actually, Zune, there have been many that have been saying that they think it may be a pig as well. When you view it from the underside and see the size and positioning of its tiny legs, it appears to be more the shape of a hedgehog to me. But it’s all conjecture at this point, the archaeologists know very little of it as yet.
This story is remarkable. Stonehenge has always been a facination of mine. So glad I found this!
I don’t really see the pig, but it is obviously an intentional carving and not just a rock. I have been loosely following the stonehenge excavations this year and find it really interesting. thanks so much for a great blog.
i would love to see stonehedge up close and personal!
Mine as well, Joed
It’s such a fascinating site, 80sMom. Glad you enjoyed the write-up
Turn the main photo from left to right and it looks like a gorilla face ….. Planet of the Apes …. ?
Interesting, I have never heard of Hedgehogs until now.
This really does look like a hedgehog to me, particularly the picture from above, as hedgehogs have a very distinctive face shape. Either way the fact that it is deliberatly carved and found with a child in their grave is really moving.
There is another possibility, the hedgehog may be a clan or family totem or power animal. The hedgehog is a good symbol of the ability for passive endurance. However, i believe the Ancestors were emotionally the same as us so the ‘favorite plaything’ explanation seems most likely to me
i would love to see stonehedge up close and personal!
very good!