4500 year old Neolithic hall reconstructed at Stonehenge
The £1 million initiative aims to serve as a living-history learning space from September.
English Heritage has unveiled a reconstruction of a 4,500-year-old Neolithic hall at Stonehenge, offering visitors a glimpse into prehistoric architecture this summer.
The Kusuma Neolithic Hall, measuring seven metres high, has been crafted using authentic historical methods and local materials by a dedicated team of volunteers from English Heritage.
The £1 million initiative, funded by the Kusuma Trust, aims to serve as a living-history learning space from September.
Located near the archaeological site of Durrington Walls, the hall is the first phase of a larger project to enhance educational opportunities at Stonehenge.
Jennifer Wexler from English Heritage said, “What was left in the archaeological record is the kind of outline of the building, so we are kind of extrapolating from that to think what the building might have looked like and how they might have constructed it.
“It is experimental but it's a great way to gain insight into how people were living over 4000 years ago.”
Under the expertise of experimental archaeologist Luke Winter, over 100 volunteers engaged in the nine-month construction using tools and materials such as thatch, coppiced timber, and chalk daub.
Despite its modern use as an educational space, the original function of the ancient structure remains uncertain, with evidence from excavations suggesting purposes ranging from large gatherings to rituals.
Matt Thompson, English Heritage’s Conservation, Curatorial and Learning Director said, “The Kusuma Neolithic Hall is such an exciting project for the charity, and we are hugely grateful to the Kusuma Trust for making it possible.
"Not only is the hall a wonderful addition to the Stonehenge experience for both visitors and learners but, by using historically accurate techniques and materials in its construction, we have also been able to develop a much keener understanding of the everyday lives of the Neolithic people who came to Stonehenge and settled in the locality.
As the autumn approaches, the hall will cater to up to 30 students at a time, providing hands-on experiences with replica tools, crafts, and insights into prehistoric life.
English Heritage's educational programme will further expand with a new Learning Centre set to launch by the end of 2026.
Featuring modern equipment, the centre will offer environmentally sensitive learning spaces including the Clore Discovery Lab, Weston Learning Studio, and an accessible Changing Places facility.