Imagine standing in the arid expanse of Jordan, surrounded by endless stretches of rocky terrain.
Hidden within this rugged landscape are huge, near-perfect stone circles, some spanning up to 455 meters in diameter.
These structures, at least 2,000 years old, have puzzled archaeologists for decades.
Thanks to high-resolution aerial photography, we’re now uncovering clues that may explain why these ancient circles were built.
One fascinating detail?
These circles, known as the Big Circles, are so symmetrical that their construction would have required precise planning and architectural foresight.
Archaeologist David Kennedy from the University of Western Australia believes that even though the materials were simple, the design suggests a sophisticated understanding of geometry.
It’s like discovering the blueprints of an ancient civilization’s forgotten project.
Not Just Random Stones in the Desert
You might assume these circles were livestock corrals or rudimentary fortifications.
But here’s the twist: there are no openings in the walls.
That means people would have had to climb over to enter.
This fact alone challenges previous theories about their purpose.
Moreover, the circles are remarkably uniform despite being spread across vast distances—12 in Jordan and one in Syria.
Their designs are too similar to be coincidental.
Kennedy suggests that a common cultural or ritualistic purpose may have connected these distant communities.
Interestingly, one of the circles even contains cairns (rock piles) along its edge, hinting at a possible burial function, though Kennedy believes these cairns were added after the circles had lost their original significance.
Construction and Cultural Significance
The ancient cityscapes of Jordan hold secrets dating back to the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age (4,500–2,000 BC).
While some materials used in the circles date back to these eras, other artifacts suggest usage continued into the Roman period (1st–7th century BC).
This layered history hints at structures that were repurposed over millennia.
Despite being first spotted from the air in the 1920s, the circles remained largely unstudied until the advent of modern aerial photography.
Kennedy’s team, part of the Aerial Photographic Archive for Archaeology in the Middle East (APAAME), has meticulously documented these formations.
Their work has revealed previously unknown circles and confirmed the destruction of others, casualties of urban expansion and conflict, particularly in war-torn areas like Syria.
Engineering Feats of the Ancient World
Constructing a Big Circle might seem daunting, but Kennedy argues that it would have been relatively straightforward.
A small group of laborers could have completed one in about a week.
The real challenge?
Achieving perfect symmetry.
The likely method involved an “architect” using a rope tied to a central post, walking in a circle to mark the perimeter.
This simple technique explains the slight imperfections where the terrain was uneven.
A Lost Panorama
One circle near Homs, Syria, offered a unique clue before its destruction.
Positioned to provide a panoramic view of the surrounding basin, this alignment suggests it may have served as a ritual site or observatory.
Sadly, this structure was lost to urban development, a fate shared by many ancient sites in regions affected by modern conflict.
Excavations and Discoveries
What’s next for the Big Circles?
Kennedy emphasizes the need for on-the-ground excavations.
While aerial images provide invaluable data, digging deeper—literally—is essential to uncover artifacts that could pinpoint construction dates and reveal the circles’ true purposes.
In Kennedy’s words, the most important contribution of his team’s work is to “collect and make known a large group of rather remarkable sites.”
Their research, published in the journal Zeitschrift für Orient Archäologie, aims to inspire further exploration before more of these ancient wonders are lost.
The Legacy of the Big Circles
Today, eight Big Circles remain visible in west-central Jordan, between the Wadi el-Hasa and the Shara escarpment, with another group of four just north of the Azraq Oasis.
They stand as silent sentinels of a past we’re only beginning to understand.
So, if you’re feeling adventurous, fire up Google Maps and start scanning the desert. Who knows?
You might spot a forgotten piece of history hiding in plain sight.
Ten geek points to whoever finds them first!
