Ancient origins of Bodmin Moor’s "King Arthur's Hall" unveiled by archaeologists

Recent archaeological findings have revealed that the ancient structure known as King Arthur’s Hall on Bodmin Moor dates back to the Neolithic Period, approximately 5,000 to 5,500 years ago, much older than previously thought. The discovery was made by the Cornwall Archaeological Unit (CAU) as part of Cornwall National Landscape’s "A Monumental Improvement" project, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Located on a remote expanse of Bodmin Moor, King Arthur’s Hall was previously considered a medieval animal pound. However, new dating methods, including Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL), indicate that the monument was constructed in the later fourth millennium BC, establishing its origins in the Middle Neolithic. The site features a rectangular enclosure of 56 standing stones, forming a unique stone-lined structure whose original purpose remains a mystery.

Phil McMahon, Inspector of Ancient Monuments at Historic England, said: “We have supported the investigations at King Arthurs Hall with grant funding and specialist advice to ensure that the cutting-edge scientific methods used to analyse the monument had the best chance of producing results. Because King Arthur’s Hall is on our Heritage at Risk Register, our overall aim was to better understand the date and nature of the monument so that its condition could be improved and its future management tailored to its needs. The news that King Arthur’s Hall is Neolithic in origin is exciting and adds significant time depth to this enigmatic site, which has few parallels in England. It enriches the story of the monument and adds an intriguing dimension to the wider prehistory of Bodmin Moor.”

The archaeological work involved collaboration from experts at the Universities of Reading, St Andrews, and Newcastle, with local volunteers supporting CAU's fieldwork. Core samples were collected to examine fossilised remains of plants, animals, and pollen within the monument’s sediments, revealing that while the structure dates back to the Neolithic, it saw varied use across millennia. Evidence suggests it may have served as an animal pound or reservoir in later periods, including the medieval era. Geological examination of the standing stones suggests that they came from within 250m of the site and were possibly dug out from the interior rather than from a distant tor.

Dr. Tim Kinnaird of the University of St Andrews commented on the historical impact of this finding: “To have a definite date for King Arthur’s Hall in the later fourth millennium BC is a major revelation. We now have to re-evaluate our understanding of the prehistoric landscape of Bodmin Moor.”

Though the site’s rectangular shape makes it unique in England, similar Neolithic structures exist in regions like Brittany, suggesting a potential ritual or communal function. Pete Herring, President of the Cornwall Archaeological Society, reflected on the implications, stating that “while the site may have had sacred uses, it retains its mystery as there are no exact Neolithic parallels for a structure like this in the UK”.

James Gossip, Senior Archaeologist from Cornwall Archaeological Unit (CAU) and fieldwork director for the project, said: “The King Arthur’s Hall project provided a once in a lifetime opportunity, using scientific dating to understand more about this unique and enigmatic monument - the main question being, when was King Arthur’s Hall built?

“The job of the archaeologists was to find deposits relating to the building of the monument. A team of dedicated volunteers spent a week helping CAU archaeologists dig and record a trench which cut through the bank of the monument, successfully revealing an ancient land surface which had been buried beneath the monument for 5,000 years. Once we had identified these sediments buried below and within the bank of the monument, specialists from St Andrews and Newcastle Universities could take samples for dating.

“Knowing when King Arthur’s Hall was built will help us understand this unique monument form better, how it might have originally been used and how it could have been used over time. It gives us a framework for further questions – for instance were the stones placed there at the time of building or later in prehistory, how was it used as part of the surrounding landscape, and can we find evidence for later uses such as an animal pound or reservoir?”

In response to its heritage and environmental importance, Historic England, in partnership with Cornwall National Landscape, is developing a management plan to preserve King Arthur’s Hall. This will include reinforcing fencing to protect against erosion from grazing cattle and creating educational resources to help visitors understand the site’s historical significance.

The project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund with additional support from Historic England and Cornwall Heritage Trust, demonstrates the impact of scientific analysis in uncovering the origins of ancient monuments. Efforts to preserve this rare archaeological treasure will ensure it remains an integral part of Cornwall’s history for generations to come.