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A 'sacred' path that may have led to a 6,000-year-old henge has been discovered on a building site in Kent.

The ceremonial gathering place in Iwade measures 98ft (30 metres) in diameter and is formed of a pair of ring ditches.

Evidence suggests the outer ditch may have originated in the Neolithic period, and been later transformed in the Bronze Age into a funerary monument, with the addition of the inner ring.

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The ring of ditches (pictured) is believed to have been a henge, or ceremonial gathering place, and has a diameter of 98ft (30 metres). Archaeologists believe the outer ring dates to the Neolithic period, but was later transformed into a Bronze Age funerary monument

However, further analysis is needed to determine the exact date, phasing and character of these two monuments.

The discovery was made by Dr Paul Wilkinson and his team from Swat Archaeology.

It is part of a larger, ongoing investigation on the site, ahead of development by Persimmon Homes at Iwade Meadows just to the west of Sittingbourne in Kent.

The rings are positioned on the north-west slope above the Ridham Fleet stream that runs through the centre of the site.

The outer ring has an entrance facing north-east, which suggests it may have originated as a henge-type monument, similar to Stonehenge.

The inner ring appears to have been built later, and is an unbroken circuit.

The researchers claim this may be associated with a Bronze Age burial mound, known as a barrow, although no bodies have been found.

A second smaller monument lies close to the larger rings, and experts believe it may have been a secondary barrow, also dating to the Bronze Age. 

While the monuments may have fallen out of use for their primary function by the middle Bronze Age, Swat archaeology believe they would have still been significant landscape features.

Bronze Age burial site found on Kent housing development

The discovery was made by Dr Paul Wilkinson and his team from Swat Archaeology.It is part of a larger, ongoing investigation on the site, ahead of development by Persimmon Homes at Iwade Meadows just to the west of Sittingbourne in Kent (marked)

The rings are positioned on the north-west slope above the Ridham Fleet stream that runs through the centre of the site. The outer ring has an entrance facing north-east, which suggests it was a henge-type monument, similar to Stonehenge. The inner ring appears to have been built later, and is an unbroken circuit

In particular, they believe a track from the north east was extended to the causeway entrance of the outer ring.

Its purpose is not known, but the experts claim it may have been formally used as a 'sacred way' leading to the Neolithic henge.

'The importance of the location in the Neolithic is bolstered by the rare findings of a series of pits close to the monuments that may indicate the area was being used before the construction of the monument or represents activity associated with it,' said Dr Paul Wilkinson, from Swat Archaeology.

'The investigation of the monuments is almost complete and the numerous finds and records of the investigation will be analysed to reveal more clues about these prehistoric monuments and their surrounding landscape,' continued Dr Wilkinson.  

A second smaller monument lies close to the larger rings, and experts believe it may have been a secondary barrow, also dating to the Bronze Age (pictured). Experts also uncovered a path, which is thought to have been a 'sacred way' to the henge

The original purpose and function of henge monuments is not known, but they are commonly thought to have been ceremonial or ritual monuments. Stonehenge in Amesbury (pictured) is one of the most famous henges