DID you know Maumbury Rings was dug out using red deer antlers and sharp flints?

The 4,000-year-old Neolithic henge has taken on various roles over the years, from Roman amphitheatre to Civil War fort.

Romans from the town of Durnovaria, now Dorchester, started using the site in AD43 and dug a big den at the base of the rings to keep wild animals for their games.

During the middle ages the entertainment of choice for locals was bear baiting, which was seen to bring the community together.

Hundreds of 17th century bullets have been found in the earth from Maumbury being built. Maumbury Rings resumed its role as a place for entertainment during the late 17th century.

In 1685 the public witnessed the execution of 80 rebels from the Monmouth Rebellion, or Picthfork Rebellion, an attempt to overthrow King James II.

Maumbury Rings is also referred to in the works of Thomas Hardy, including The Mayor of Casterbridge.

A big standing stone, a 'monolith', stood to mark the entrance to the rings at the north east of the site, but it was blown up in 1846 because it got in the way of ploughing.