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| Stone Formation Archive 1999 |
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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 June 19, 1999 VANDALS have attacked two of Avebury's 4,500 year old stones and sprayed paint all over them. Police believe the vandalism may have been a publicity stunt by people protesting against GM foods. The vandalised stones, in the avenue of the ancient monument on the west side of Kennet, were discovered yesterday morning by a postman. The stones were wrapped in a hessian cloth to delay the hardening of the paint which will make it easier to tackle. Chris Gingell, property manager at Avebury said he was immensely sad. Mr Gingell said it was impossible to put an exact figure on the cost of the damage but he estimated it could run into thousands of pounds. One of the stones has been covered with red paint and green paint on the top. A second stone has been vandalised with the word cuckoo written on it in white spray paint. Mr Gingell said the main worry in the cleaning process is not the damage which might occur to the hard Sarsen stone, but to the lychen a rare form of plant some types of which only grow on the Avebury stones. "Our aim would be to start as soon as we have received conservation advice from English Heritage. "In our experience there could be weeks of work needed to repair the stones." Three years ago stones in the same area were attacked and had hieroglyphics painted on them. On that occasion the cost of repairing the damage was more than £10,000 with lasers used in the cleaning process. Insp Kevin Hagger, of Marlborough police said a call claiming responsibility for the attack had been made by GM activists to Greater Manchester police. Mr Gingell said: "These stones are of national importance and I feel immense sadness that this 4,500 year-old monument has been attacked in this way. I feel sorry for the people that live here and love Avebury, and the hundreds of thousands of visitors that come here each year." Mr Gingell hit out at the protesters saying no message was so important as to destroy the stones for. "Whatever the motive for this, whether it is a protest or just exhibitionism, it is tragic that a whole heritage site which has stood here for 4,500 years should suffer such extensive damage." Back to 1999 index |
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