Stonehenge's Avenue and 'Bluestonehenge'

Michael J. Allen, Ben Chan, Ros Cleal, Charles French, Peter Marshall, Joshua Pollard, Rebecca Pullen, Colin Richards, Clive Ruggles, David Robinson, Jim Rylatt, Julian Thomas, Kate Welham, Mike Parker Pearson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Stonehenge is a site that continues to yield surprises. Excavation in 2009 added a new and unexpected feature: a smaller, dismantled stone circle on the banks of the River Avon, connected to Stonehenge itself by the Avenue. This new structure has been labelled 'Bluestonehenge' from the evidence that it once held a circle of bluestones that were later removed to Stonehenge. Investigation of the Avenue closer to Stonehenge revealed deep periglacial fissures within it. Their alignment on Stonehenge's solstitial axis (midwinter sunset-midsummer sunrise) raises questions about the early origins of this ritual landscape.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)991-1008
Number of pages18
JournalAntiquity
Volume90
Issue number352
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2016

Keywords

  • Bluestonehenge
  • Bronze Age
  • henge
  • Neolithic
  • stone circle
  • Stonehenge
  • Stonehenge Avenue
  • West Amesbury

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