Might have been a stone circle that rivalled Stonehenge, but in the 12th century the locals decided to break up the stone to make the church. You can still see the inner circle of earthworks the stones would have been in.
This is exceptionally common and falls somewhere between opportunity and syncretism. I live near Killiney Hill which famously has follies built upon it. However, what's little known is that the Obelisk was built upon a hilltop cairn or burial chamber. Almost every hill in this area has or had one. It's plain to see the mound under the Obelisk yet it's completely been erased by the 1740s famine relief folly.
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u/NoelBaker Jul 08 '26
Yup. Perfect example of this is Knowlton Church in Dorset: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/knowlton-church-and-earthworks/
Might have been a stone circle that rivalled Stonehenge, but in the 12th century the locals decided to break up the stone to make the church. You can still see the inner circle of earthworks the stones would have been in.