Lost secrets revealed at Stonehenge
Lost secrets revealed at Stonehenge- Archaeological Excavation at Durrington Walls, near Stonehenge: Open
Day 26th - 28th August -
Visitors to Stonehenge over the August Bank Holiday weekend will have
the chance to catch a glimpse of life in Britain more than 4000 years
ago. A team of archaeologists from around Britain are carrying out
excavations at Woodhenge, Durrington Walls and Stonehenge Cursus to find out
more about these sites and their links with Stonehenge.
The work is part of the Stonehenge Riverside Project, designed to
explore the archaeological evidence from the landscape around Stonehenge,
Woodhenge and Durrington Walls, and to examine this wide complex of
monuments and human activities.
In 2005, archaeologists at Durrington Walls discovered remains of at
least three Neolithic houses, as well as the first known metalled road
surface from the European Neolithic period. This formed a ceremonial
avenue aligned on the Midsummer Solstice sunset. The wooden circles of
Durrington Walls and Woodhenge appeared to have been connected to
Stonehenge by their avenues and the river Avon.
This year, the team will be going further, investigating the timber
circle of Woodhenge, trying to find evidence from similar timber
structures inside the circular enclosure of Durrington Walls and looking for a
possible lost bluestone henge on the Stonehenge Cursus.
English Heritage Outreach Officer for the South West, Kath Graham,
says:
"This is a really special opportunity to see how the people who built
these unique landmarks lived and worked, and experience another side to
the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. The team are hoping for some
exciting finds this year and it will be a great day out for all the family."
The public is invited to visit these ongoing excavations at our special
open day10am to 4pm throughout the Bank Holiday weekend (26th-28th
August). Attractions include: regular tours of the site, opportunities to
meet the archaeologists, and re-enactments of life 4000 years ago.
Guided tours are available every day until 14th September between 10am and
4pm, except Fridays and 2nd September. For more details, please
contact Megan Price, on 07960 516451, or visit:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/archaeology/research/stonehenge.