A prehistoric sanctuary discovered near Chleby in the Czech Republic is giving archaeologists a brand new view of how Europe’s early farming communities understood the Sun, Moon and changing seasons. The circular structure, built more than 6,500 years ago, is around 1,000 years older than Stonehenge and appears to have been designed for both rituals and observing movements in the sky. According to the University of West Bohemia (UWB), archaeologists have found that the enormous enclosure contained 12 entrances whose positions were carefully arranged rather than placed randomly. Their research suggests that people who lived in the region had a detailed understanding of important solar and lunar cycles. The discovery makes the Chleby sanctuary one of the oldest monuments of its kind in Central Europe and offers a rare glimpse into prehistoric beliefs and daily life.
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