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| Stone Formation Archive 1989 |
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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 29, 1989 THE story behind two prehistoric sites near Marlborough will now be easier for visitors to understand. Yesterday English Heritage put up illustrated panels to explain the origins of the Sanctuary at Overton Hill and the West Kennet Long Barrow, both linked to the important stone circle at Avebury. Visitors to the Sanctuary can see marker posts showing where sockets were cut into the chalk 4,000 years ago to hold the wooden wall posts. The panel tells how the first building, probably a shrine or charnel house for corpses was replaced by another twice as big, and later by a double stone circle linked to Avebury by an avenue of stones. The double circle was removed in 1724 so the hill top could be ploughed and the site was not re-discovered until 1930. West Kennet, Long Barrow, which measures 130 metres and is one of the longest prehistoric remains in England and Wales, contains a passage with side chambers for human remains, with the entrance blocked by a large stone. Between 40 and 50 people were buried there over a period of about 1,000 years before Avebury was built but from time to time skulls and leg bones were removed for use in ceremonies elsewhere. Both sites are popular with visitors and admission to them is free. Back to 1989 index |
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