Circles long gone, yet sketched or etched?

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Littlestone L
Littlestone Mar 7, 2006 19:18:03
Replying to suave harv

>Come to think of it, I've seen very few pictures (drawings or otherwise) of stone circles that don't exist anymore. Winterbourne Basset springs to mind. . and of course the Sanctuary.<

Stukeley did a sketch of Winterbourne Bassett in 1724* and also the famous one of the Sanctuary where he shows himself looking out towards Silbury.

* http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/2616

Unless I'm mistaken the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 12th, 13th and 16th images in that link show a sarsen that was erected by local farmhands about ten years ago. From memory, one of the guys who helped stick it up there in the corner said they'd found it when ploughing that particular field and had just put it there because it looked good. Will try to get some more info from him this summer but the stone in question is a bit suspect (note its colour as well) to say the least.

S suave harv
suave harv Mar 7, 2006 19:48:42
Replying to Littlestone

Wasn't there 'proof' recently that the Basset Circle was NOT in the field where we think it is? (where the burried stones are now).

I'd rather it be in the field with the stones. Then, at least something is left to see. And the fact that the church spire in seen on the Stukeley sketch, dosen't mean much I reckon. He could have included that just to show the *direction* of Avebury.

Let us know about the standing stone. Yea, it looks 'planted', and if it's only been there ten years, then the locals will know about it.

I'd LOVE to see a picture of the Whetstones - a Shropshire Circle destroyed relitivley recently.