Who built Stonehenge and why ... archaeologists have begun a dig in an area constructed in 2400BC to try and find out. Picture: iStock Source: Supplied

Late last year evidence including flint tools showed man had camped in the Stonehenge area 6000 years ago, longer than previously thought.

It was also concluded the stones themselves were believed to have been built about 3000BC and may have been part of a sprawling complex of burial mounds and monuments.

But now Reading University, in collaboration with Historic England, the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Wiltshire Museum and 100 volunteers, on Friday began a dig at a huge site at Marden Henge in the Vale of Pewsey, an area constructed in 2400BC by the people believed to have been behind the construction and worship of Stonehenge.

Ambitious Neolithic dig ... Who built Stonehenge, near Amesbury, Wiltshire, England, and why might be revealed. Picture: iStock Source: Supplied

The Vale of Pewsey, nearby but apparently once geometrically linked to Stonehenge, has barely ever been explored making this, says university archaeologists, one of the most important done.

Work has begun on the foundations of a prehistoric hut, the inhabitants of which would have seen Stonehenge built and more likely worked in the huge labour force required to have put it together.

The university’s Department of Archaeology and Director of the Archaeology Field School Dr Jim Leary described the dig as the opening of a new chapter on Stonehenge.

“The Vale of Pewsey is a relatively untouched archaeological treasure-chest under the shadow of one of the wonders of the world,” he said.

“Why Stonehenge was built remains a mystery. How the giant stones were transported almost defy belief. It must have been an astonishing, perhaps frightening, sight. Using the latest survey, excavation and scientific techniques, the project will reveal priceless insight into the lives of those who witnessed its construction.”

Summer solstice ... More than 30,000 expected to visit Stonehenge this weekend. Picture: Charles Miranda Source: Supplied

News Corp Australia was given exclusive access to Stonehenge ahead of today’s summer solstice celebrations that fall on a weekend for the first time in a decade and is expected to attract more than 30,000 people from about the world.

The site’s curator and trained archeologist Heather Sebire said Stonehenge and its environs had been excavated in antiquarian times but techniques were now more sophisticated, just testing soil gave amazing insight into the prehistory period.

She said despite the picturesque undulating green fields about Stonehenge, it was clear from radar there were many “anomalies” below the ground that could help in the understanding.

“It’s the curiosity isn’t it that draws us here,” she said. “I just think they were like us in many ways so if you think of basic human needs and I guess it’s the fascination, you know why did they build this great monument and what was it for? But these were people who were farmers so it must have been hard work to feed themselves.

“If you think about those people, they were as sophisticated as us, I really believe that, but they had to feed themselves growing crops keeping animals, these are the first farmers who had settled and after they got their crops in they obviously had time to think about these great spiritual sites but also if you think about it they must have been more in-tune to the elements.

“It’s summer solstice now but we actually think it was the winter sunset that was more significant because that was the turning of the year. They knew that the days were going to get longer, they knew they had got through the winter hopefully with enough crops to feed themselves so we’re fairly sure the winter sunset that was more important.”

Many ‘anomalies’ below the ground that could provide its story ... the historic site of Stonehenge near Amesbury, Wiltshire, England. Picture: Charles Miranda Source: Supplied

Earthworks to improve access to the Stonehenge site has already one unsuspected consequence, with the toiling provoking the growing of red poppies.

charles.miranda@news.co.uk