There were limited excavations in 1980–81 which provided some information on the development of the site.
The first traces of human activity are indicated by a broad ditch (no longer visible above ground) which appears to have belonged to some structure or enclosure.
This may have been ritual, but could instead have been domestic.
In the centuries around 3000 BC, however, the site was turned over to agriculture, which obliterated most of the earlier traces.
After this, the site was allowed to grass over for a time.

The stone circle was set up between 2900 and 2600 BC.
It is not clear whether the stone alignments were constructed at the same time as the circle, or later.
Some time after the erection of the stones, a small chambered tomb was inserted into the eastern part of the stone circle.
The many pottery fragments found indicate that the tomb was used for several centuries.
These pottery fragments included not only the local Hebridean pots, but numerous sherds of beaker vessels (dating to around 2000–1700 BC) and sherds of grooved ware.

Around 1500–1000 BC the complex fell out of use and was despoiled by the later Bronze Age farmers.
Fragments of pots appear to have been cast out of the chamber.
This may have been just ordinary agriculture, but it may conceivably have been ritual cleansing.
There appears to have been a later rebuilding of the tomb, but this may have been for domestic use as there is no evidence for any later ritual use of the monument.
Between 1000 BC and 500 BC the stones were covered by a thick layer of turf.
It is estimated that the place was abandoned around 800 BC.
Only in 1857 was the overlying 1.5 metres of peat removed.
There were limited excavations in 1980–81 which provided some information on the development of the site. The first traces of human activity are indicated by a broad ditch (no longer visible above ground) which appears to have belonged to some structure or enclosure. This may have been ritual, but could instead have been domestic. In the centuries around 3000 BC, however, the site was turned over to agriculture, which obliterated most of the earlier traces. After this, the site was allowed to grass over for a time.
The stone circle was set up between 2900 and 2600 BC. It is not clear whether the stone alignments were constructed at the same time as the circle, or later. Some time after the erection of the stones, a small chambered tomb was inserted into the eastern part of the stone circle. The many pottery fragments found indicate that the tomb was used for several centuries. These pottery fragments included not only the local Hebridean pots, but numerous sherds of beaker vessels (dating to around 2000–1700 BC) and sherds of grooved ware.
Around 1500–1000 BC the complex fell out of use and was despoiled by the later Bronze Age farmers. Fragments of pots appear to have been cast out of the chamber. This may have been just ordinary agriculture, but it may conceivably have been ritual cleansing. There appears to have been a later rebuilding of the tomb, but this may have been for domestic use as there is no evidence for any later ritual use of the monument. Between 1000 BC and 500 BC the stones were covered by a thick layer of turf. It is estimated that the place was abandoned around 800 BC. Only in 1857 was the overlying 1.5 metres of peat removed.
Callanish Stones