|
 |
|
|
| Stone Formation Archive 2003 |
|
 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 January 29th 2003 AN ANCIENT monument is set to have a big say in the future of the University of Bath in Swindon. The university is hoping to build a new 8,000-student campus next to a stone circle dating back 4,500 years on the edge of the Commonhead site next to the Great Western Hospital. The circle of five stones poking through the ground form part of an ancient tribal gathering point of similar significance to the 5,000-year-old Avebury stones, and are visible from Day House Lane off Marlborough Road. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which means developers cannot build over it. But a consortium of developers including the university, Persimmon Homes and Redrow hope to build a new campus, housing and a science park. Les Durrant, on behalf of the consortium, said: "We will not disturb this site, I can guarantee that. "The development is at a very early stage and we have not even submitted an outline planning application. "We will be carrying out a full archaeological survey as we get closer and we will not be building too close to it. "We know the site is very close to what was roughly the Roman equivalent of the A419 so we expect to find items of Roman interest there as well." The significance of the site was pointed out to the Evening Advertiser by pensioner Dick Stevens, 76, from the Lawns. He came across it aged 14 when delivering a telegram to Day House Farm before the Second World War and wants to ensure it is preserved for future generations. He said: "I think it is a vital part of Swindon's history and I am delighted that nothing will be built on it. "What I would really like to see is the field excavated to reveal just how big the stones are. "It would make an excellent place for students at the new university to relax." The official entry in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Schedule of Monuments says the remains suggest the stones were part of a circle with a diameter of 92 metres. It says the stones were carefully laid out, regularly spaced and the height appears to have been of some significance. They are said to have had importance in rituals, possibly as a focus for interment of the dead. The stones are a rare monument type that provide an insight into prehistoric ritual activity and all examples, the schedule states, are worthy of preservation. Sue Pycroft of the University of Bath in Swindon said: "There are archaeological remains at the Claverton Downs campus of the University in Bath so we are well versed in the necessary measures to identify and protect this site. "It is certainly very exciting to think that a campus might be near this ancient site." Back to 2003 index |
|
