Funny...........
Stonehenge project compares Neolithic building methods
17 04 2013An experiment is under way here in Wiltshire to find out more about Neolithic building methods.
Using archaeological evidence unearthed from nearby Durrington Walls, three structures are being built at Old Sarum Castle, near Salisbury.
The project aims to recreate the buildings which may have existed in Neolithic times
The English Heritage project aims to discover what was the most efficient way of building with locally-sourced materials.
The final reconstructions will be built at Stonehenge later this year.
They will be put up outside the new visitor centre.
The experiment is part of a £27m English Heritage scheme looking at how the setting of the ancient monument can be improved.
The recreated Neolithic buildings will form part of an “interactive and experiential” external exhibition at the 3,500-year-old World Heritage site.
The Dorset-based Ancient Technology Centre has been commissioned to construct the three prototype homes.
Luke Winter from the centre said the project aimed to look at what type of buildings may have been around at the time.
“The evidence from Durrington Walls several years ago brought to light the remains of several different types of building,” he said.
“We’re trying to reconstruct what they looked like above ground.
“On each of the three buildings we are trying different materials and methods and at the end we can say which is most likely to have been used
Link source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-22168354
Merlin @ Stonehenge
The Stonehenge News Blog
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Categories : durrington walls, English Heritage, neolithic, old sarum, Salisbury, Stonehenge news, Stonehenge Visitor Centre, wiltshire, world heritage site
Stonehenge Solstice Manager Job Vacancy
16 04 2013English Heritage manages access to Stonehenge for celebration of the summer and winter solstices and other seasonal gatherings in conjunction with Wiltshire Council, the Highways Agency, the National Trust and representatives of pagan and druid groups. These celebrations attract many thousands of people every year. From 2014, with the completion of the transformational Stonehenge Environmental Improvements Programme, a new solstice operational plan will come into effect.
As part of the Stonehenge management team, reporting to the General Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for developing, leading and implementing the future plan, working in close liaison with stakeholders. A track record of organising and managing large-scale events, and of working with stakeholders to deliver positive outcomes will be essential. Highly-developed influencing and negotiating skills and the confidence and ability to represent English Heritage at a senior level will also be critical as will the requirement to work flexibly to meet the needs of this important role.
Title: Solstice Manager Stonehenge (Part-time/Annualised Hours)
Location: Stonehenge
Job Type: Permanent
Salary: c. £34k
Close Date: 06/05/2013 23:59:59
Full details: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/jobs/job/?ref=4575
You will need to refer to the following document(s) when completing your application. Job Description Download English Heritage Behaviours
The Stonehenge News Blog
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Categories : Druid ceremony, English Heritage, Summer Solstice 2013, Wiltshire Events, Winter Solstice 2013, world heritage site
Giant rock structure twice the size of Stonehenge found under sea
11 04 2013Scientists have discovered a giant structure, weighing 60,000 tonnes and twice the size of Stonehenge, under the Sea of Galilee in Israel.
Giant rock structure found under sea
The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology reports that the “monumental stone structure” was cone-shaped and made of rough basalt.
Researcher Yitzhak Paz, of Ben-Gurion University’s Israel Antiquity Authority, said the structure was found in 2003 during a sonar survey and divers had now been down to investigate.
He told the journal that the structure could be 4000 years old.
“The more logical possibility is that it belongs to the third millennium BC, because there are other megalithic phenomena close by,” Dr Oaz said.
At a height of 10 metres and with a diameter of 70 metres, the structure appears to be a giant cairn, used in many parts of the world to mark burials.
“Close inspection by scuba diving revealed that the structure is made of basalt boulders up to a metre long with no apparent construction pattern,” researchers said. “The boulders have natural faces with no signs of cutting or chiselling. Similarly, we did not find any sign of arrangement or walls that delineate this structure.”
The scientists say to monument was definitely manmade and probably built on land, only later to be covered by the Sea of Galilee as water levels rose.
Putting all the data together researchers found that the structure is cone shaped, about 230 feet (70 meters) in diameter and nearly 32 feet (10 meters) tall. It weighs an estimated 60,000 tons.
“The shape and composition of the submerged structure does not resemble any natural feature. We therefore conclude that it is man-made and might be termed a cairn,” they said.
The journal published a list of nearby examples of megalithic structures. One was the monumental site of Khirbet Beteiha, located 30km north-east of the submerged stone structure. It comprises three concentric stone circles, the biggest of which is 56 metres wide.
During the third millennium BC the city of Bet Yerah was one of the biggest sites in the region, Dr Paz said.
“It’s the most powerful and fortified town in this region and, as a matter of fact, in the whole of Israel.”
Dr Paz told the Journal of Nautical Archaeology that he was hopeful that an underwater archaeological expedition would soon excavate the structure.
The search will focus on finding artifacts and organic material in order to accurately date the site.
Link Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/16676628/giant-rock-structure-found-under-sea/
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Merlin @ Stonehenge
The stonehenge Stone Circle News Blog
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Categories : Archaeology, megalithic phenomena, Sea of Galilee, stone circle
Druids and Pagans to get time off to visit Stonehenge under new EU work rules
8 04 2013New guidance advises bosses to respect atheists and to “consider seriously” adapting work duties on faith grounds
Pagans, vegetarians and ecologists should have their beliefs respected at work along with mainstream faiths, according to European advice to bosses.
Getty Images
It means druids will be able to take leave to observe rituals and make pilgrimages to mystical sites such as Stonehenge.
Christian nurses will be allowed to pray for patients, Muslims to take leave to visit Mecca, vegetarians can refuse to handle meat and sit on leather chairs and ecologists refuse to fly.
The new guidance also advises bosses to respect atheists and to “consider seriously” adapting work duties on faith grounds.
But the Equality and Human Rights Commission guidelines, drafted after several rulings in the European Court of Human Rights, were slammed yesterday.
Andrew Copson, chief executive of the British Humanist Society, said: “It is right to accommodate people’s needs in a civilised society but we have to make sure we draw the right line. It’s not fair to accommodate an employee if others have to take extra shifts or if their workplace becomes uncomfortable through others pushing their religion.
“The right to manifest beliefs can’t trump the rights of others.”
The guidance comes after the court in Strasbourg, France, ruled in January the UK was wrong to stop Christian BA check-in clerk Nadia Eweida, 61, wearing a cross at work.
The commission’s chief executive Mark Hammond said: “It provides advice and clarification to help employers avoid costly and divisive legal action.”
Lnk Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/druids-time-visit-stonehenge-under-1817343
Merlin @ Stonehenge
The Stonehenge News Blog
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Categories : Druid ceremony, Pagans, Stonehenge news
Oh no! A 360 degree cinema instead of going inside Stonehenge!
2 04 2013
The new Stonehenge Visitors' Centre will contain a 32 ft landscape wall designed to give people an impression of what it's like to stand inside the circle. Some have opposed the idea saying only the real thing is acceptable. It's tempting to say "please explain exactly how you would deliver that ideal, given the huge numbers involved" as there seem to be only two ways it could be done ...
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Wiltshire: Land of mystery and home to Stonehenge
1 04 2013Home to Stonehenge and packed with active opportunities for all ages, Wiltshire is a beautiful county
The Unesco world heritage site of Stonehenge was erected more than 4,000 years ago and is open to the public Photograph: Frank Lukasseck
Best known for its myths and legends, Wiltshire offers the setting for a perfect break – a mixture of ancient history and outdoor pursuits. It is home to Stonehenge and Avebury, two breathtaking sites erected more than 4,000 years ago. But mysterious artefacts aside, you can also cycle, skydive, canoe, golf and horse-ride your way around this part of the world.
Speculation on the reason Stonehenge was built ranges from human sacrifice to astronomy, and the world heritage site is a must-see. Unless you visit on the summer or winter solstice there’s a charge to walk around the magnificent stones. However you can visit the world’s largest stone circle at Avebury for free. If you want to see Stonehenge from a unique vantage point, Heritage Cycle Tours’ accompanied ride from Salisbury arrives over the crest of a hill, for a stunning view of the stones, before passing through the iron age settlement of Old Sarum.
For an even bigger thrill, see Stonehenge from 3,500ft with Skydive Netheravon, located between Salisbury and Marlborough. Beginners can experience freefall in tandem, jump with an automatic parachute or take a learners’ skydive course.
You don’t have to head skywards to experience Wiltshire in a special way. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Pewsey Vale Riding Centre provides a horse ride to remember. And at Peddles and Paddles you can hire kayaks or Canadian canoes to travel down the canal to Devizes Wharf, where you’ll find the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Museum.
Alternatively, experience this fine region at a slower pace. Climb the 332 steps to the base of Britain’s tallest spire at the gothic Salisbury Cathedral. You’ll be treated to views of the medieval scaffold of the spire and across the Wiltshire countryside. Don’t leave without visiting the cathedral’s Chapter House: it’s home to one of the four original Magna Cartas.
And if you judge an area by its golfing opportunities, Wiltshire may be your dream destination: Cumberwell Park Golf Club offers rolling countryside, lakes and woodland; North Wilts Golf Club encourages players of all abilities with no tee booking required; and Tidworth Garrison Golf Club, a tree-lined, downland course for private members, was described by golfing legend Peter Alliss as “a gem of a course on the edge of Salisbury Plain”.
So whether you spend your Wiltshire trip investigating the ancient past, or trying an exciting activity or two, a break in this outstanding part of the country will make an unforgettable impression.
Where to revive
Eat: The Harrow at Little Bedwyn boasts accolades including AA Restaurant of the Year (2011) and a Michelin star. The focus is on food from artisan growers, fishermen and farmers.
Drink: Savour a pint in atmospheric surroundings at the charming Cloisters, an “olde worlde” pub minutes from Salisbury Cathedral. Or, for a more rural experience, head to the village of Market Lavington for a real ale at the Green Dragon.
Sleep: Extend your Stonehenge experience by spending the night in a luxurious “glamping pod” at Stonehenge Campsite in Salisbury (and enjoy eight real ale and foodie pubs within a four mile radius), or chill out at Whatley Manor, a beautifully restored Cotswold manor house hotel and lavish spa.
Full article and soure: guardian.co.uk
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Categories : Avebury, English Heritage, Magna Cartas, old sarum, Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge news, Visit Wiltshire, Wiltshire tourism
The Stonehenge Project – Phase 1
29 03 2013An amazing opportunity to gain a rare and fascinating insight into the development of the famous World Heritage Site. The first in a series of exclusive Members’ Events to share with you the details of the high profile development of the new Visitors Centre, join Stonehenge Director Loraine Knowles and Programme Manager Richard Williams to discuss the project and gain insight at this early stage. With the help of a time lapse film you will see the stages of the construction process and discover the plans for the centre once completed.
Welcome refreshments are included. This event has been graded as Easy Access, as there are clear walkways and seating available.
How to Book
Ticket are available to book from 10am on Tuesday 26 March by calling our dedicated ticket sales team on 0870 333 1183. (Mon-Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm & Sat 9am – 5pm)
Prices
Welcome refreshments are included.
Members’ Only Event
- Date: Mon 22 Apr 2013
- Property:
Watershed, Bristol
- Children’s Event
Time: 10am-12pm - Booking :
Suitable for: Adults
Link: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/the-stonehenge-project-phase-1-watershed-22-apr/
Merlin @ Stonehenge
The Stoneheng News Blog
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Categories : English Heritage, Stonehenge news, Stonehenge Visitor Centre, world heritage site
Stonehenge visitors to ‘experience’ standing in the ancient circle
25 03 2013A 360 degree cinema is being developed so visitors to Stonehenge can experience standing inside the ancient circle.
Stonehenge receives one million visitors a year and is a World Heritage Site Photo: Christopher Jones for the Telegraph
Access to Stonehenge has been fiercely contested for decades, with campaigners arguing that they should be allowed into the stone circle.
Now, English Heritage has developed a possible solution, a virtual visit in a 360 degree cinema where visitors can “experience” standing in the ancient circle.
It will be the centrepiece of a new £27 million centre at the site and is one of a number of audio visual attractions being built to bring the prehistoric monument to life.
These will include a 32ft “landscape wall”, on to which computer generated images of the countryside around the circle and other ancient earthworks will be projected.
In addition, there will be five “people films”, shown on screens in one of the two vast pods being built to house the visitor centre. These will provide information about the monument and prehistoric items on display
There will also be films exploring the conflicting theories over the establishment and use of the circle.
Outside the centre, replica Neolithic dwellings are being built, where visitors will be able to see how early inhabitants of the sites lived.
The plans for the centre are revealed in a series of tender documents from English Heritage, seeking firms to provide the technological content for the audio visual displays. The documents describe the “immersive 360 degree projected film” as the “most important and high profile piece of audio visual ever undertaken by EH”.
The new auditorium’s 100ft circumference will compare with about 300ft in the actual stone circle.
Robert Campbell, the head of interpretation at the centre, said: “It’s meant to give people a sense of what it is like to stand in the middle of Stonehenge because most people just won’t be able to do that. It won’t feel like you are standing in a computer programme. The idea is to take our visitors back in time.”
The virtual visits may not win over all campaigners including Pagans and Druids who want open access to Stonehenge, which was created about 5,000 years ago.
When it was first opened to the public, it was possible to walk among and even climb on the stones. However, they were roped off in 1977 due to problems with erosion.
Visitors are now kept a short distance away, although English Heritage does permit access during the summer and winter solstice, and the spring and autumn equinox. Some access visits early in the morning or late in the evening can also be booked.
Stonehenge receives one million visitors a year and is a World Heritage Site. The multi-million project is being built 1.5 miles from the stones.
By Jasper Copping, and David Barrett (http://www.telegraph.co.uk)
Merlin at Stonehenge
The Stonehnege News Blog
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Categories : Druids, English Heritage, Pagans, special access tours, Stonehenge, Stonehenge Visitor Centre, world heritage site
Time to rethink the annual free bash at Stonehenge?
21 03 2013
Times are tough. Another £2.5 billion of cuts are to be announced today. Heritage spending has already been slashed across the board yet in exactly 3 months from today another £200,000 is due to be spent to facilitate the annual, inflation-proofed knees-up at Stonehenge. Should it be examined or is it sacrosanct, in contrast to pensioners' benefits and museums? Here are some actual figures of the costs it involves:
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