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| Stone Formation Archive 1990 |
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 Stone Formations news, views, gallery and archive brought to you by Weird Wiltshire Introduction Latest News News Archive Stonehenge Stonehenge Project Stonehenge 360 Avebury Saviours Stones Village Solstice Wayland Smithy Long Barrow Woodhenge Gallery Summer Solstice Gallery 2002 Summer Solstice Gallery 2004 Postcards Wallpaper Links  |
First published on October 4, 1990 A MASSIVE early Bronze Age palisade straddling the Kennet Valley has been discovered near Avebury. Archaeologists from University College, Cardiff, who have been working in the area since 1987 say the discovery's significance is on a par with similar findings at Mount Pleasant, near Dorchester. An excavation next to the West Kennet Farmyard shows the fence, 200 metres in diameter, could well be part of a much larger complex. Archaeologist Dr Alisdair Whittle, from Cardiff, said it might have been an enclosure to defend a permanent habitation. The news of the find is likely to fuel the controversy over proposals to develop West Kennet Farm into a luxury hotel. Avebury residents are opposed to the plans, and are awaiting a decision from a public inquiry held last August. Heather Brothwell, who chairs the Avebury in Danger pressure group, said: "The new find has strengthened our arguments against the development ten fold. "We have invited the Secretary of State for the Environment to re-open the inquiry." Avebury in Danger wants environment secretary Chris Patten to veto the proposals. Pottery remains and other artefacts found at the site are now to be scientifically analysed to establish a date of origin. Back to 1990 index |
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