A deep horse sense of time , account , and enigma hang duncish in the countryside of northerly Scotland   – but not so much any longer in the small parish of Leochel - Cushnie , Aberdeenshire .

Archaeologists have occur to realize   that a I. F. Stone circle in the parish , once believe to be an ancient monument , is really a modern replication . The disappointment was only revealed after a former possessor of the farm on which the monument is find oneself contacted an archaeologist atHistoric Environment Scotlandjust before Christmas and accommodate to building   it in the 1990s .

“ It is obviously disappointing to find out of this development , but it also tot an interesting component to its taradiddle , ” Neil Ackerman , Historic Environment Record Assistant at Aberdeenshire Council , said in astatement .

“ These types of memorial are notoriously difficult to appointment . For this reason , we include any modern replicas of ancient repository in our record in pillow slip they are later misidentified . ”

When the stones were late rediscovered by the farm ’s current owner , they were widely believe to be aRecumbent Stone Circle . Scotland is abode to around 100 of these mysterious structures that see back to the Bronze Age , between 3,500 and 4,500 years ago . Their role varied from station to station , but they were generally used as sites to sink cremated bodies or for rituals related to the Moon .

At the sentence of discovery , archaeologist noted that the circle ’s circumference was a little on the small side , however , the stones appeared to be otherwise selfsame to the literal deal . It turn out , the old farmer was in reality very knowledgeable about local history and concerned in stone monuments .

“ That it so closely copies a regional monument type indicate the local cognition , appreciation , and engagement with the archaeology of the region by the local biotic community , ”   Ackerman added .

“ I hope the stones keep on to be used and enjoyed – while not ancient it is still in a fantastic locating and spend a penny for a great feature in the landscape painting , " he continued .

" We always welcome reports of any new , modern reconstructions of ancient monuments , especially those build with the accomplishment of this gemstone circle and that reference live repository type . ”

While this example was merely an innocent mistake , the earth of archaeology is not immune to faker and forgery of a dark nature . Just last class , a famed archaeologist wasaccused of fakingsome of his biggest uncovering . James Mellaart , who died in 2012 , is suspected of excogitate documents throughout his career   as well as inventing translations of allegedly 3,000 - years - old documents .