Three Ancient Nested Enclosures Discovered

Discovery in Marliens
In early 2025 a team of archaeologists conducting a routine LiDAR survey over farmland near Marliens, Burgundy, spotted unexpected patterns in the terrain. Follow-up drone flights and ground-truthing revealed three perfectly concentric enclosures-each defined by a shallow ditch and earthen bank-never before documented in continental Europe. Initial estimates date the site to around 4000 BCE, placing it firmly in the Neolithic era.

Site Details & Architecture
The outer ring measures roughly 220 meters across, the middle about 160 meters, and the inner just 100 meters. Each bank stands up to two meters high, with ten-meter-wide berms separating the enclosures. Entrances align to the northeast, suggesting deliberate orientation. The central enclosure contains a raised platform of compacted chalk, possibly a focal point for gatherings or rituals. No domestic debris has yet been found.

Historical Implications
Until now, triple-walled monuments were thought to be unique to the British Isles-sites like Windmill Hill and Old Sarum. Finding a similar form in Burgundy pushes back our understanding of Neolithic complexity on the continent. It implies that these early farming communities shared architectural knowledge over great distances or developed parallel ceremonial traditions independently.

Emerging Theories
Scholars debate the purpose of the nested rings. Some propose a ritual landscape where pilgrims progressed inward in stages. Others point to possible lunar or solstitial alignments marked by the entrances. A defensive interpretation seems unlikely given the shallow ditches, but some suggest herding or livestock management. Future geomagnetic surveys may reveal buried postholes or standing stones that clarify its function.

What Comes Next?
Excavation of the central platform is planned for summer 2025, with samples sent for radiocarbon dating. Geophysical prospection will map subsurface features without extensive digging. Comparative studies with enclosures in Britain, Germany, and Spain are underway to trace cultural connections. Detailed findings are expected to appear in peer-reviewed journals later this year, potentially rewriting a chapter of Neolithic Europe.