A RECENT archaeological discovery in Lundin Links has been likened to the internationally famous Stonehenge.
Already the site of three historic standing stones, Lundin Ladies Golf Club, can now boast it's home to a new and rare archeological find.
A circular ring, known as a cropmark or a henge, has recently been identified in the middle of the course by Fife Council archaeologists.
The discovery follows a re-assessment of the area in July as part of the council's rolling programme of archaeological survey.
Whilst reviewing a range of data sets including aerial photos, the team noticed the faint ring, which has been dated between 5000 and 6000 years old.
Council archaeologist Douglas Speirs explained how cropmarks are formed when there is a variation in the field's crop or surface vegetation triggered by the presence of buried deposits.
He said: "Specifically, this cropmark ring appears to represent a rare type of late Neolithic monument.
"Few have been excavated but of those which have, evidence of ritually interred cremated human bone strongly suggest that these were religious monuments.
"This significant discovery confirms the long-suspected theory that the Lundin Ladies' course is located on the site of a nationally important prehistoric ritual landscape."
Mr Speirs added: "Now, with this henge as well as the discovery of what appears to be an associated processional avenue, we can finish the picture.
"This is exactly the same package as we see at the internationally famous site of Stonehenge."
The cropmark joins the course's standing stones which date back to the early Bronze Age around 4000 years ago as well as a burial site found in 1931 next to the 18th green.
Author: Catherine Morrow | Source: Fife Today [October 05, 2010]