Devil’s Quoits, an Impressive Glimpse into Neolithic Britain

Stanton Harcourt is a village situated in the very center of Oxfordshire, in the heartland of the ancient Brythonic lands. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary civil parish in England. But once you take a stroll through its streets and across the fields nearby, you can spot some very visible remnants from the distant past. One such remnant is known locally as the Devil’s Quoits. A major henge and a stone circle, dated to the Late Neolithic period, it is a remarkable fragment of the British past, often overlooked. But one look at these weathered stones is a glimpse enough into the dim corridors of Neolithic Britain.

The Legend of the Devil’s Quoits

This impressive stone circle is a classic example of the ritual construction of the ancient inhabitants of Britain. When first built, some 4000 to 5000 years before present, it likely appeared monumental and awe-inspiring. But as centuries passed, turning into millennia, the stones got weathered. They were dislodged, they fell, crumbled, and lost their splendor. And for a casual observer in the 17th century, these strewn about stones resembled a game of quoits.

The Devils Quoits ditch and its inhabitants. (Chris Brown /CC BY-SA 2.0)

This was a traditional game in England, involving throwing rocks close to a pin or a set goal. And thus emerged the name of Devil’s Quoits, as villagers believed in an old legend that said that the Devil himself once played quoits here with a beggar. The stakes in the game were high and involved nothing less than the beggar’s soul. A trickster, the devil won by flinging these great stones, the legend goes.

The Formal Explanation

Luckily, modern archaeology is here to tell us that these stones were not, in fact, thrown there by the Devil. They are the result of the hard work of Britain’s ancient people.

Dated to the Late Neolithic period, the stone circle is surrounded by a great ditch, which measures roughly 120 meters (400 ft) across. Two entrances, at the east and west ends, allow entrance to the great stone circle. Originally, there were 36 standing stones here, but many were lost or removed over time. Another great stone slab was placed at the center of the circle, likely during the Bronze Age period, and could have had a ritual significance.

Devil’s Quoits location is within Oxfordshire, England. (Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Archaeological excavations were conducted in 1972 and in 1988. During this time the field work revealed the circular ditch, which was by that time largely filled in. However, any other significant finds were sparse. Several flint blades were uncovered, and remnants of bonfires all around the circle’s perimeter. These fires were likely lit during ceremonies conducted at the circle. Some animal bones were also found.

A Hard Fate for an Ancient Monument

The stone circle of Devil’s Quoits endured a hard existence over the centuries. With the eras of history rolling over Britain, the stone circle lost its significance and use. First came the Romans, by whose time the circle was an ancient relic. Then came the Anglo-Saxons, and all the subsequent peoples after them. None of them regarded Devil’s Quoits as much more than a fragment of some hazy past. This resulted in many of the stones falling down or being taken away for use in construction.

By the time Second World War came, all that remained was slight earthwork visible at the site, and several stones. In 1940 there was only a single stone remaining at the site. At this time the site was extensively damaged for use in the war effort, when a large area was leveled for the construction of a landing strip. After the war, the destruction continued, as the site was used for gravel extraction.

Luckily, the importance of this circle was recognized in modern times, and extensive restoration works were conducted between 2002 and 2008. The ditch was uncovered once more, and many of the original stones were found at the site and re-erected. Those that were missing were replaced with modern conglomerate blocks sourced from a nearby quarry at Ducklington. The earthworks upon which the stones stood were also re-made, with much of the eroded soil refilled. Now, the stones stand at an earth bank that is 2 meters (6 ft) high, which is roughly half of the original height. But even so, the site looks as monumental as it once was.

The Heritage of Ancient Britain

Those visiting Stanton Harcourt will have no great difficulty finding this marvelous stone circle. A quick stroll around the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside can end in the visit to this major Class II circle henge monument from the Neolithic.

Without a doubt, it will leave a lasting impression on every visitor. Touching the weathered stones and observing the horizon from the elavated henge can transport you to a time in Britain in which everything was different. Different, and ancient.

Top image: The Devils Quoits major late Neolithic henge and stone circle prehistoric site. Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire.    Source: David Matthew Lyons/Adobe Stock

By Aleksa Vučković