Mystery of ancient 1,400-year-old ‘alien rings’ rising out of hills finally SOLVED after sparking flurry of conspiracies
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SCIENTISTS have finally cracked the ancient mystery of 1,400-year-old "alien rings" rising from the hills which were fuelling a tirade of conspiracy theories. Locals had been puzzled by the series of bizarre rings scattered around Melbourne, Australia, and thought they were the work of aliens or a natural phenomenon.
![[Aerial view of a 1400-year-old Aboriginal earth ring in Sunbury, Australia.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ring-riddle-mystery-ancient-1-965530200.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But now, scientists have revealed they are actually ancient monuments crafted by Aboriginal people called the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung - the traditional owners of the land. Researchers estimate there were once over 400 of these structures across New South Wales and Queensland in eastern Australia, but only around 100 remain today.
![[Microscopic images of ancient skin-working tools.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ring-riddle-mystery-ancient-1-965530923.jpg?strip=all&w=747)
Far fewer have ever been discovered in the southern-most state of Victoria, but the five around the town of Sunbury are amongst them. Many other rings of this kind are thought to have been destroyed by European settlers when they colonised the land. It is believed the ancient people would dig out earth and build it into mounds that formed the large circles, hundreds of metres across, that are still visible today.
![[Map showing locations of archaeological rings near Sunbury, South Australia.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/JB_21_01_SUNBURY-RINGS_MAP.jpg?strip=all&w=922)
It is also now understood the circles continue to be very important historically and culturally to Aboriginal people today. Elders of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung culture explained that the rings are used to reflect on themes including the European occupation, colonisation, self-determination, adaptation and resilience of the people.
![[Six labeled fragments of ancient pottery.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ring-riddle-mystery-ancient-1-965530928.jpg?strip=all&w=730)
