Darwin’s earthworms and Stonehenge One of Charles Darwin’s
lesser known scientific contributions was the study of the
humble earthworm. But could his work on this underground
creature provide valuable clues about the ancient site of
Stonehenge? The earthworm plays a crucial role in improving soil
fertility as it burrows beneath the ground. Its work helps us to
live in a green and pleasant land as the worms aerate the soil.
But as Darwin discovered, worms are also surprisingly good
friends to archaeologists. Today this humble beast is providing
clues about the history of Stonehenge and its surrounding
countryside. Darwin’s studies of earthworms at Stonehenge
involved some of the first scientifically recorded excavations
at the site. They’re unusual because they were carried out not
by an archaeologist, but by a naturalist. Darwin was interested
in the action of earthworms in burying objects. Earthy solutions
– the humble earthworm. It’s the continual processes of
burrowing, digesting and excreting the soil by