London - Archaeologists have uncovered a second stone circle, just a mile from the famous prehistoric Stonehenge, it emerged Sunday - the only difference being, none of the stones are left.

Dubbed "Bluehenge" by the team from Sheffield University because the original rocks would have been tinged blue dolerite from Wales, only the holes where the stones were erected now survive.

Bluehenge is a mile from Stonehenge, in the Wiltshire countryside in south-western England.

The holes were once home to 27 standing stones, archaeologists said, and were discovered this summer.

The site is estimated to date back around 5,000 years, and so would be of a similar age to Stonehenge.

The dolerite stones would have been dragged from the Preseli hills in Wales.

Professor Mike Parker-Pearson, of Sheffield University, said the site would have had significance for rituals commemorating life and death.

More details about the find are expected to be published in February next year. (dpa)