First look at new 4,500-year-old Neolithic hall at Stonehenge after £1 million reconstruction

A new reconstruction of a 4,500-year-old Neolithic building near Stonehenge has been revealed, offering a glimpse into prehistoric life.

The seven-metre-high Kusuma Neolithic Hall takes its design from archaeological evidence of an important prehistoric structure located just three kilometers from the iconic stone circle.

English Heritage volunteers meticulously constructed the hall using historically authentic methods and locally sourced materials.

The £1 million venture, backed by the Kusuma Trust, is nearing completion and is set to welcome visitors this summer.

Starting in the fall, it will serve as an educational center allowing schoolchildren to discover what daily life was like four and a half thousand years ago.

It is unclear what the original structure, located near the prehistoric settlement of Durrington Walls, was used for.

Thousands of animal bones and a large amount of fluted pottery were found during excavations in the settlement; these provide strong evidence for large winter feasts.

This suggests that the hall could have been a space for large gatherings and celebrations, rituals and even funerals.

Matt Thompson, of English Heritage, said: “The Kusuma Neolithic Hall is a very exciting project for the charity and we are extremely grateful to the Kusuma Foundation for the generous donation that made it possible.

“Not only is the hall a wonderful addition to the Stonehenge experience for visitors and students alike, but by using historically accurate techniques and materials in its construction, we have also been able to develop a much keener understanding of the daily lives of the Neolithic people who came to Stonehenge and settled the site.

“As a charity, one of our main aims is to provide unforgettable learning experiences for everyone and Kusuma Neolithic Hall will transform our ability to do this.

“With its burning hearth, Neolithic crafts and cooking, the hall is a model for living history; it instantly transports you back 4,500 years.

“Visitors to Stonehenge this summer will also have the chance to experience the hall and talk to some of our wonderful volunteers who built it, before it opens to educational groups for the new school year.”