Rainbow cascades through stained-glass window of Neolithic burial barrow

By Sophie Watson via SWNS

Stunning images show a rainbow of light cascading through a stained-glass window of a Neolithic burial barrow in a dazzling natural phenomenon.

The Soulton Long Barrow in Shropshire, England is only the third of its kind to be opened in modern times.

The burial chamber is based on an ancient solution to the lack of burial space in Britain used by our Neolithic ancestors almost 5,000 years ago.

Photographer Andrew Fusek Peters captured the moment sunlight illuminated the chamber in a burst of color at sunset on Saturday, December 17.

There is only a ten minute window to photograph the mesmerizing rainbow every winter.

The recently completed long barrow at Soulton Hall, Shropshire, contains the largest stone corbelled ceiling in modern times, over the height of 2 double decker buses. (Andrew Fusek Peters via SWNS)

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His breathtaking images show beams of blue, purple, orange, red and green light flooding the reimagined ancient chamber with spectacular color.

Andrew, 57, said: “The photo is so rare to capture.

“It can only be taken once a year during the winter solstice and there has to be perfect
conditions to take it.

“When the opportunity does arise, the sunset light only aligns with the glass for ten minutes, so you have to be quick to catch the shot.

“The photos show all the colors of the rainbow, and I am so lucky to have captured it.

“It is the most spiritual thing I have ever seen and the way the light streamed through the window is magical.

“It doesn’t look real and looks like I have created it on Photoshop, but it is real.

“It is truly something miraculous.”

Soulton Long Barrow is made entirely by hand using natural limestone, lime mortar and traditional techniques.

Housing ashes inside the structure costs around £750 ($970) for an individual, and £5,850 ($7,590) for a family.

It is only the third of its kind to be opened as part of a Stone Age tradition being resurrected across Britain.

The main chamber is aligned so that during the winter solstice, the sun sets directly in line with the stained-glass window.

Artist Annette Jackson, who designed and glass, said: “I didn’t realize it would be so powerful - I put every fiber of my being into the design and making of it and it still remains my favorite window.”