Menu
31/03/2008
Big Dig Gets Underway At Stonehenge
Work has begun on the excavation of important 'bluestones' at one of England's most famous historical landmarks, Stonehenge.
English Heritage will carry out the work following the granting of Scheduled Monument Consent by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
The two-week project will aim to precisely date the double bluestone circle, the first stone structure built on the site.
Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of the English Heritage, said: "The bluestones hold the key to understanding the purpose and meaning of Stonehenge.
"Their arrival marked a turning point in the history of Stonehenge, changing the site from being a fairly standard formative henge with timber structures and occasional use for burial, to the complex stone structure whose remains dominate the site today."
The stones were last investigated by archaeologists in the 1990s and were dated at around 2,550BC but no precise date was uncovered.
A trench measuring around 3.5 metres by 2.5 metres will be dug in a previously excavated area on the south-eastern quadrant of the Double Stone Circle.
Samples retrieved from the dig will be tested using more advanced technology such as radiocarbon dating which should shed light on how long the Circle was is use for.
BBC Timewatch in association with Smithsonian Networks will fund the excavation and post excavation analysis and will also film it for broadcast on BBC2 this autumn.
(DS)
English Heritage will carry out the work following the granting of Scheduled Monument Consent by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
The two-week project will aim to precisely date the double bluestone circle, the first stone structure built on the site.
Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of the English Heritage, said: "The bluestones hold the key to understanding the purpose and meaning of Stonehenge.
"Their arrival marked a turning point in the history of Stonehenge, changing the site from being a fairly standard formative henge with timber structures and occasional use for burial, to the complex stone structure whose remains dominate the site today."
The stones were last investigated by archaeologists in the 1990s and were dated at around 2,550BC but no precise date was uncovered.
A trench measuring around 3.5 metres by 2.5 metres will be dug in a previously excavated area on the south-eastern quadrant of the Double Stone Circle.
Samples retrieved from the dig will be tested using more advanced technology such as radiocarbon dating which should shed light on how long the Circle was is use for.
BBC Timewatch in association with Smithsonian Networks will fund the excavation and post excavation analysis and will also film it for broadcast on BBC2 this autumn.
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 September 2015
Stonehenge Researchers 'Find Major New Prehistoric Monument'
Archeologists believe they have found the remains of the largest prehistoric monument in Britain. The discovery is less than three kilometres from Stonehenge, and is hidden beneath the bank of the later Durrington Walls 'super-henge'.
Stonehenge Researchers 'Find Major New Prehistoric Monument'
Archeologists believe they have found the remains of the largest prehistoric monument in Britain. The discovery is less than three kilometres from Stonehenge, and is hidden beneath the bank of the later Durrington Walls 'super-henge'.
11 July 2012
Work Begins On New £27m Stonehenge Visitor Centre
Work has begun on a new £27m ‘out of sight’ visitors centre at Stonehenge. English Heritage has said the new site will transform the area from a "national embarrassment" into a tranquil setting for one of the world's great prehistoric monuments.
Work Begins On New £27m Stonehenge Visitor Centre
Work has begun on a new £27m ‘out of sight’ visitors centre at Stonehenge. English Heritage has said the new site will transform the area from a "national embarrassment" into a tranquil setting for one of the world's great prehistoric monuments.
13 March 2015
Former TV Weatherman Sentenced Over Indecent Assaults
Fred Talbot, the 65-year-old former TV weatherman, has been sentenced to five years for indecently assaulting two teenage boys in the mid 1970s. The crimes date back to 1975 and 1976, when Talbot was a teacher at Altrincham Grammar School, Greater Manchester.
Former TV Weatherman Sentenced Over Indecent Assaults
Fred Talbot, the 65-year-old former TV weatherman, has been sentenced to five years for indecently assaulting two teenage boys in the mid 1970s. The crimes date back to 1975 and 1976, when Talbot was a teacher at Altrincham Grammar School, Greater Manchester.
12 September 2013
Royal Mail To Be Privatised 'In Coming Weeks'
The UK government has given formal notice to the stock exchange that it plans to privatise Royal Mail "in the coming weeks". It has not provided specific details as to how much of the group will be sold, but it is understood to be a majority.
Royal Mail To Be Privatised 'In Coming Weeks'
The UK government has given formal notice to the stock exchange that it plans to privatise Royal Mail "in the coming weeks". It has not provided specific details as to how much of the group will be sold, but it is understood to be a majority.
15 September 2011
Bye Bye Sell By
The 'Sell by' label on perishable foods is to be removed in an effort to reduce wastage, according to the Government on Thursday. The Department for the Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defra) has announced that foods manufacturers should no longer use the 'sell by' date marks, instead using only 'best before' or 'use by'.
Bye Bye Sell By
The 'Sell by' label on perishable foods is to be removed in an effort to reduce wastage, according to the Government on Thursday. The Department for the Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defra) has announced that foods manufacturers should no longer use the 'sell by' date marks, instead using only 'best before' or 'use by'.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
