Littlestone

Laura Barton, writing in the Guardian yesterday, reports on the route of the high-speed rail link that -

“At stake, too, is the preservation of the Ridgeway, Britain’s oldest road — a pathway followed since prehistoric times by herdsmen, travellers and soldiers, running from Wiltshire, along the chalk ridge of the Berkshire Downs and on to the River Thames at the Goring Gap. It passes the stone circle at Avebury and the White Horse at Uffington, as well as Grim’s Ditch, Wayland’s Smithy and Barbury castle. It runs, too, right down Wendover high street, past the clock tower, built in 1842 and now repurposed as the visitor centre, then out towards Wendover woods. There is an ancient feel to this land, something rich and deep and solemn.”

More here – guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/dec/20/heartache-over-high-speed-railway

Not to be confused with the Woodhenge discovered in 1925 (see english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/woodhenge/ ) this Woodhenge was only discovered in July of this year. It “...was hailed as one of the most important archaeological finds for decades. But now experts are at loggerheads after claims that what was thought to be a Neolithic temple was a rather more humble affair – in fact the remains of a wooden fence.”

More here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/woodhenge-just-a-farmers-fence/

All ready mentioned elsewhere but -

“...the curious story of Julian Cope, former Smash Hits cover star, practising druid and great British eccentric, is set to be turned into a feature film. David Morrissey, the award-winning actor, has secured the film rights to Head On, Cope’s autobiography.

“A student of pagan ritual, Cope’s most surprising career shift has been his emergence as an acclaimed expert on Britain’s prehistoric stone circles; his book, The Modern Antiquarian, sold 40,000 copies, was adapted as a BBC documentary and prompted an invitation to lecture at the British Museum.”

More here – independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/from-smash-hits-to-stone-circles-julian-copes-life-to-be-filmed-2103180.html

(Can we hope for a private viewing party ;-)

“LEADING experts on Stonehenge will be gathering in Salisbury to debate the monument’s purpose next weekend. The event, called Solving Stonehenge, is part of Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum’s 150th anniversary conference on October 2 and 3. The main speakers will be Professor Tim Darvill, Professor Mike Parker Pearson, Mike Pitts and Julian Richards. The debate will be chaired by Andrew Lawson.”

More here -
salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/8407609.Experts_gather_to_gather_for_Stonehenge_debate/

“The largest exhibition of John Constable work, ever exhibited in Wiltshire, is heading to Salisbury next summer.

“To mark the 200th anniversary of the artist’s first visit to the city, the Salisbury and Wiltshire museum is hosting a multi-million pound exhibition of his paintings of Salisbury Cathedral, the city and Stonehenge.”

More here – news.bbc.co.uk/local/wiltshire/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_9006000/9006303.stm

“The gateway to the Avebury World Heritage Site has been transformed after work to bury unsightly electricity cables was completed…”

“The project, which started over three years ago, was made possible by a partnership involving Wiltshire Council, the National Trust, North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding National Beauty, English Heritage and local farmers. Funding for the work was provided by Scottish and Southern Electricity…”

“The new cables have been buried underneath the major monuments at Overton Hills Seven Barrows Bronze Age barrow cemetery and beneath the Neolithic West Kennet Avenue which originally linked Avebury Stone Circle to the Sanctuary.

“Scottish and Southern Electricity employed archaeologists to examine all the entry and exit points for the moleing machinery to check for any archaeological remains.

“Their work has been monitored by Dr Nick Snashall, National Trust archaeologist who said: “A major eyesore has been eliminated from the World Heritage Site with the removal or these power cables, bringing the landscape closer to its ancient appearance. We’ve also been able to record all the archaeology found during the works, which adds to our story of the development of Avebury.“”

More here – wiltshire.gov.uk/latestnews.htm?aid=107488&utm_source=Wiltshire+Council&utm_medium=twitter&utm_content=News

“According to the Salisbury Journal the project might go ahead – but not till 2013.

“The newspaper says that on Thursday English Heritage project development manager Martin Harvey updated councillors and members of the public on progress made and quotes him as saying “If all goes well with the remainder of this year, we believe we can still start work on the site in 2012 and open for business the following year.“”

More here –
heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/stonehenge-visitors-centre-to-go-ahead-but-not-till-after-the-olympics/

“BARRIERS installed along Britain’s oldest road have helped cut poaching and hare-coursing, according to police.

“Oxfordshire County Council installed the temporary barriers between Hill Road, Lewknor and Hill Road, Watlington, on the Ridegway National Trail. And they have already seen results with a drop in crime. The blocks were fitted in April to stop poachers, harecoursers and deer stalkers in cars accessing the track, known as the Icknield Way, and to stop thieves driving to isolated farm buildings.

“The pre-historic Ridgeway track runs from Avebury, Wiltshire, to Ivinghoe near Dunstable, across South Oxfordshire.”

More here – oxfordmail.co.uk/news/8356258.Barriers_keep_crime_off_the_Ridgeway/

See also – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/02/14/avebury-is-not-dudley/

Field trip to the English Heritage archaeological excavation near Silbury Hill, Wiltshire and the Alexander Keiller Museum, Avebury.

Wednesday 1 September 2010.
10.30am – 4pm.

“The Icon Archaeological Group field trip will be visiting a research excavation being undertaken by the Archaeological Projects team at English Heritage. The excavation is evaluation the recently revealed Romano-British settlement located in the fields surrounding Silbury Hill. The day will include a guided tour of the excavation by the project manager as well as the opportunity to hear about the recent Silbury Hill conservation project.

“In the afternoon the field trip will move on to the site of Avebury and a guided tour of the Alexander Keiller Museum.

“A buffet lunch will be provided at the Red Lion Pub, Avebury.”

More here – icon.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1284&Itemid=16

“HISTORIANS are probing links between an ancient dugout canoe discovered on the banks of the Boyne and the landmark Newgrange site.

“The canoe, which has an unusual design and is believed to be unique in Ireland, was yesterday removed from the river by experts from the National Museum.”

More here – independent.ie/national-news/anglers-catch-ancient-canoe-in-the-boyne-2234534.html

And here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/dugout-canoe-found-on-the-river-boyne/

The Wiltshire Heritage Museum is conducting a survey for a pilot, “...community bus service that will link Stonehenge, Devizes and Avebury.” Results from the survey will help them plan the service.

More here – wiltshireheritage.org.uk/news/?Action=8&id=105&home=1

The new Stonehenge Visitors’ Center is one of the first projects to fall victim of Government’s cutbacks.

More here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/stonehenge-visitors-centre-axed/

Moving Stone through the Ages: Carl Wark Hillfort and the Burbage Quarries.

“A walk taking in quarries, iron smelting a prehistoric cainfield and the enigmatic Carl Wark Hillfort.”

Wednesday, 21 July. 10:30-16:00. Meet at the pay and display car park, west of Upper Burbage Ridge. Up-to-date information on 01626 816200.

An introduction to the three monuments of Men-an-Tol, Men Scryfa, and the Nine Maidens by guide Adrian Rodda on Thursday, 22 July.
Meet at the car park at 11:00 and follow the signs to the monuments.

Organised by the Cornwall Archaeological Society. Up-to-date information on 01872 572725.

“A guided tour around Barbury Castle and along the Ridgeway to Hackpen Hill White Horse to discover some of the archaeology of the Marlborough Downs.”

Meet at Barbury Castle on Saturday, 31 July at 14:00 (walk lasts until approx. 17:00). Up-to-date info from Wiltshire Council on 01249 705504.

National Trust experts will, “…lead you on a half-day journey of discovery through this very special landscape.”

Meet outside the Barn Gallery on Tuesday, 20 July and Thursday, 22 July 2010 at 10:00.

The West Kennet Avenue at Avebury. Photo by Heritage Action member Jim Mitchell, one of the winners in this year’s National Trust competition for photographs of Avebury.

Photo here -
heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/05/30/avebury-photo-competition/

And here -
themodernantiquarian.com/img_fullsize/76270.jpg

(Well done Jim :-)

Wiltshire Heritage Museum will be organising an outing to the Rollright Stone Circle on Saturday, 7 August 2010. The outing will be led by David Dawson, Director of the Wiltshire Archaeological & Natural History Society.

More here – wiltshireheritage.org.uk/events/index.php?Action=2&thID=530&prev=1
And here -
heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/05/18/outing-to-the-rollright-stones/

Lecture. Museum of London, Tuesday, 13 April. 6.30-8pm. Free.

“John Clark has recently retired from a long and distinguished career as Senior Curator (Medieval) at the Museum of London. In this talk he investigates the strange history of London Stone, the mysterious block of limestone that currently sits, ignored by passers-by, in an alcove in the wall of a building opposite Cannon Street Station.”

More here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/london-stone-making-a-myth-3/

“Its footpaths are “tortuous”, the roof likely to “channel wind and rain” and its myriad columns – meant to evoke a forest – are incongruous with the vast landscape surrounding it.”

“So says the government’s design ­watchdog over plans for a controversial £20m visitor centre at Stonehenge, the megalithic jewel in England’s cultural crown. CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, has criticised the design of the proposed centre, claiming the futuristic building by Denton Corker Marshall does little to enhance the 5,000-year-old standing stones which attract more than 800,000 visitors each year.”

More here – guardian.co.uk/culture/2010/feb/07/stonehenge-city-garden-visitor-centre

A survey of the Stonehenge landscape suggests the monument was surrounded by two circular hedges.

Writing in the Guardian yesterday, Maeve Kennedy reports on the startling evidence of a Great Stonehenge Hedge. “Inevitably dubbed Stonehedge, the evidence from a new survey of the Stonehenge landscape suggests that 4,000 years ago the world’s most famous prehistoric monument was surrounded by two circular hedges, planted on low concentric banks.”

More here – guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/feb/04/stonehenge-hedge-discovery

“On Tuesday night, February 2, Wiltshire’s ancient stone monument was taken over by a film crew...”

More here – news.bbc.co.uk/local/wiltshire/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8496000/8496057.stm

“New information has emerged from letters written in 1776 about excavations at Silbury Hill and published for the first time in the new volume of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine.”

More here – wiltshireheritagemuseum.blogspot.com/2010/02/silbury-hill-new-find-in-archive.html

“English Heritage has welcomed yesterday’s decision by Wiltshire Council’s planning committee to approve plans for a new visitor centre for Stonehenge.”

More here -

andoveradvertiser.co.uk/news/4864607.English_Heritage_welcomes_Stonehenge_Vistor_Centre_decision/

“English Heritage, the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, and the Wiltshire Heritage Museum have agreed to collaborate on presenting and interpreting the story of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site.

“The two museums will make loans from their collections to English Heritage for display in the proposed new visitor centre, while English Heritage will assist the two museums with their own displays and enhancing their archives to support the co-ordinated approach.”

More here – wiltshireheritagemuseum.blogspot.com/2010/01/wiltshire-museums-join-forces-to-tell.html

Bill Bryson, writing in The Times today, pays homage to (among others) John Lubbock who, “...was a banker by profession, but was in addition a distinguished botanist, astronomer, expert on the social behaviour of insects, politician and antiquarian. Among much else, he coined the terms palaeolithic, mesolithic and neolithic in 1865. But his real contribution to life was to push through Parliament the first Ancient Monuments Protection Act, which became law in 1882. People forget how much of Britain’s historic fabric was nearly destroyed in the past. Before Lubbock’s intervention, nearly half of Avebury was cleared away for housing, and at one point it was even threatened that Stonehenge, then still in private hands, might be dismantled and shipped to America. Without Lubbock, many stone circles, tumuli and other historical features of the landscape would have vanished long ago.

More here -
entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/non-fiction/article6979468.ece

“Jade is normally associated with imperial China, notably the Han Dynasty burial suits made up of hundreds of jade plaques linked with gold wire; or with the Ancient Maya in Central America, where royal burials were often smothered in jade necklaces and carved objects. Prehistoric Europe is not usually thought of as society that used jade, but recent studies have shown that superb polished axes of green jadeites were traded from the Alps to the Channel 6,500 years ago, reaching Britain shortly thereafter.”

The Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes holds a superb example of a jadeite axe from Breamore (mentioned in The Times article above and here – timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/court_and_social/article6497835.ece )

“Dogu are from the earliest-dated tradition of pottery manufacture in the world, dating to the prehistoric Jomon period, which began 16,000 years ago. Most of the figures in the exhibition are from about 2500 BC to 1000 BC (the Middle and Late Jomon periods) and show the development of the sculptural form over time.”

The exhibition is in Room 91 at the British Museum until 22 November 2009. Admission free.

More here – britishmuseum.org/whats_on/all_current_exhibitions/the_power_of_dogu.aspx

“These monuments were irretrievably damaged, however, in some cases destroyed and for what? The route chosen wasn’t the only possibility, but viable alternatives were dismissed without a second look. In hindsight and given the collapse of the economy, the motorway itself may not even have been necessary. Some people obviously thought so. As has recently been revealed, Eurolink were given a minimum traffic guarantee, which surely indicates prior consideration, if not expectation, of low usage levels.

“Anyone with half an eye on national events will concede that this is a country where the elite are in and out of each others pockets, smoothing their respective ways along. You wouldn’t have to be particularly conspiracy-minded to smell something fishy in the alterations of laws when they prove inconvenient to ‘progress’. Or the swift ‘about-face’ of the Greens when they arrived in Government. Why was this route and project, opposed by the EU, prominent archaeologists and a significant body of the public, untouchable?”

More here – heritageaction.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/m3-co-meath-the-end-of-the-road/

“The Annual General Meeting of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society will take place at Devizes Town Hall, commencing at 2.30pm (10 October, 2009). This will be followed by a lecture from Prof. Mike Parker Pearson.

“Mike’s talk is entitled ‘The Stonehenge Riverside Project – Recent Results’. It is sure to be very popular so advance booking is essential. If you are interested in attending the lecture contact 01380 727369...”

More here – wiltshireheritage.org.uk/events/index.php?Action=2&thID=442&prev=1

“They were carved out of stone and squeezed out of clay 9,000 years ago, at the very dawn of civilisation.

“Now archaeologists say these astonishing Stone Age statues could have been the world’s first educational toys.”

Read more: dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1212320/Ancient-figurines-toys-mother-goddess-statues-say-experts-9-000-year-old-artefacts-discovered.html#ixzz0QgWClUMo

“About 4,500 years ago some inhabitants of Britain suddenly started wearing and being buried with jewellery. Subsequent centuries saw objects being fashioned out of amber, jet, gold, copper, bone and faience in a bewildering variety of forms.”

A lecture entitled ‘Prehistoric Jewellery in Britain and Beyond’ by Ben Roberts will be held at the Wiltshire Heritage Museum, Devizes from 2:30 pm on Saturday, 24 October 2009. More here – wiltshireheritage.org.uk/events/index.php?Action=2&thID=444&prev=3&catID=4