England Preserves Ancient White Horse Hill Figure

Archaeologists in Oxfordshire, England identified the Uffington White Horse, a massive prehistoric hill figure, as being approximately 3,000 years old. The 111-meter-long figure, depicting a stylized horse, is considered the oldest and most fascinating of Britain’s geoglyphs.

Researchers from Oxford Archeology dated the creation using optically stimulated luminescence, analyzing the chalk used to create the design. The Uffington White Horse is one of around fifty such geoglyphs in the UK, a phenomenon linked to the country’s extensive chalk deposits.

Other examples include the Cerne Abbas Giant and the Wilmington figure. Regular restoration work is crucial to the horse’s survival, as vegetation would quickly cover and erase the figure without it. The preservation of this ancient artwork ensures its continued visibility for future generations and maintains a connection to Britain’s prehistoric past.