As they went about their work with axes and ropes, they had no inkling that every single mark they left behind would be pored over by scientists almost 4,000 years later.

Now laser scans carried out on timbers from Norfolk's Seahenge, which shed new light on our understanding of the Bronze Age, have been used to digitally re-assemble the relic.

Eastern Daily Press: A view of Seahenge from aboveA view of Seahenge from above (Image: Historic England/Archaeoptics)

They were made by Glasgow-based imaging specialists Archaeoptics, which closed down in 2006.

Now its former technical director Alistair Carty has used its archive to piece together the enigmatic timber circle more than 20 years after its excavation.

"It was just a bit of fun really, going back through our old stuff and finding new uses for some of the old data," he said. "So about a year ago I decided to just get on with it.

Eastern Daily Press: Seahenge soon after it was discovered on the beach at Holme-next-Sea near Hunstanton in 1998Seahenge soon after it was discovered on the beach at Holme-next-Sea near Hunstanton in 1998 (Image: Wendy George)

"Because we always acted as a sub-contractor, a lot of people weren't aware of what we scanned."

Re-assembling Seahenge took around two days, using plans made at the time it was discovered.

The circle of 54 oak posts and its central timber stump were dug up from the beach at Holme-next-the-Sea, near Hunstanton, in 1999 after being uncovered by storms the previous winter.

Eastern Daily Press: The central stump of Seahenge being lifted from the beachThe central stump of Seahenge being lifted from the beach (Image: John Hocknell)

Analysis of the timbers and the axe marks left by those who shaped them showed the circle was built in the summer of 2049BC and more than 50 people were involved in its construction.

While that in turn meant society was more advanced than had previously been believed it did not solve the riddle that remains to this day of why the ancients built their circles on what is now the shore.

READ MORE: Will we ever know why Seahenge was built?

Some believe they were used for sky burials, where the dead would be placed inside to be pecked and carried away by carrion-eating birds.

Eastern Daily Press: A scan of one of the timbers carried out by Archaeoptics, showing axe marks left behind by its buildersA scan of one of the timbers carried out by Archaeoptics, showing axe marks left behind by its builders (Image: Historic England/Archaeoptics)

Archaeoptics' laser scans were made after the timbers were excavated from the beach and taken to Flag Fen, near Peterborough, amid protests from Druids and villagers, who believed that they should have been left in place.

They were later taken to the Mary Rose Trust in Portsmouth, which had previously restored Henry VIII's flagship after it was salvaged from the sea, to be preserved for posterity using special waxes.

Eastern Daily Press: The central stump of Seahenge after it was installed at Lynn Museum The central stump of Seahenge after it was installed at Lynn Museum (Image: Ian Burt)

Parts of the circle and the central tree stump went on display at Lynn Museum, in nearby King's Lynn, in 2008.

Last year, some of the timbers were loaned to the British Museum in London to form part of an exhibition about the world of Stonehenge.

Eastern Daily Press: Part of the display at Lynn Museum, which includes a replica of how Seahenge would have looked after it was builtPart of the display at Lynn Museum, which includes a replica of how Seahenge would have looked after it was built (Image: Ian Burt)

Dr Jennifer Wexler, project curator at the British Museum, said: “If Stonehenge is one of the world’s most remarkable surviving ancient stone circles, then Seahenge is the equivalent in timber. 

“We know about some aspects of the monument, including that it was constructed in the spring and summer of 2049 BC, from mighty oaks. But there’s much that still eludes us, including exactly what it was used for.

Eastern Daily Press: One of the Seahenge timbers being removed from the beach at HolmeOne of the Seahenge timbers being removed from the beach at Holme (Image: John Hocknell)

“Perhaps the central upturned trunk was used in funerary rituals to support a dead body. Perhaps entering the circular shrine brought worshippers closer to the otherworld.

"By displaying Seahenge in this exhibition, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to time travel back to the moment when circles of stone and timber were at the heart of people’s beliefs.”

Eastern Daily Press: One of the scans revealing a large hole gouged out of one of the timbers, where ropes would have been attached to drag it along the groundOne of the scans revealing a large hole gouged out of one of the timbers, where ropes would have been attached to drag it along the ground (Image: Historic England/Archaeoptics)

Whatever those who built it held in their hearts and beliefs may never be known.

Other wooden structures which appeared on the same beach, including what appeared to be a walkway and another larger circle have emerged since the discovery of Seahenge.

Eastern Daily Press: The second circle which emerged on Holme Beach in 2003The second circle which emerged on Holme Beach in 2003 (Image: Simon Bamber)

The second circle was also dated to 2049BC, showing it was almost certainly built by the same group of people on what would then have been salt marsh.

But it was not excavated and the sea was left to claim it.