A New Stonehenge

Pete G May 9, 2006 11:06:57

Proposals to recreate Stonehenge
A plan of how the new Stonehenge might look
An ambitious project to recreate Stonehenge as it would have looked 4,000 years ago is being planned.

Fragments of only three circles remain, but quarry firm Preseli Bluestone wants to build all seven from scratch.

It is hoped the circles will be completed by 2009. The new site would be open to visitors.

An exact location is yet to be decided, but the Cotswold Water Park, which straddles Wiltshire and Gloucs, is one of several sites being considered.

Heritage sculpture

Preseli Bluestone owns the quarry in Wales where the stones for the ancient Wiltshire monument originally came from.

Colin Shearing, from the company, said: "We don't want to replicate Stonehenge as it stands today, but rather as how it would have looked when completed about 4,000 years ago."

The new Stonehenge would be built using both modern and ancient methods which the public would be invited to watch.

The plans are in the very early stages, but the aim is to create a 21st Century 'landmark architectural heritage sculpture' which allows visitors to walk among, and touch, the stones.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/4753205.stm

Pete G May 9, 2006 15:13:06

Replying to Pete G

THE 21ST CENTURY STONEHENGE

A group of business people are planning to recreate a 21st century Stonehenge in Wiltshire. Colin Shearing of Preseli Bluestone Limited, said "We don't want to replicate Stonehenge as it stands today but rather as how it would have looked when completed about 4000 years ago1."

Only the remnants of three circles still stand at Stonehenge today but the project would reconstruct all of the original seven. The Preseli Bluestones2 will make up one of these circles with different stones brought from around the world used for the other circles, making it a truly international project. The new Stonehenge will also be aligned with the equinox and the solstices. Site negotiations are in the very early stages; the site has to be right for us and right for the local community.

The project would also incorporate an interpretation centre in the shape of a Neolithic burial mound but will not be a theme park. Visitors would be able to walk amongst the stones and touch them. Guides will not be dressed as druids. This is primarily a landmark architectural heritage sculpture.

Stonehenge is the root of this island's architecture and there's an international fascination with it; Stonehenge itself attracts at least 800,000 visitors a year. Sadly it is eroding; English Heritage do their utmost to preserve it but time and the elements are working against the stones; we hope that our new Stonehenge will stand for at least as long as the old one and also will become a world heritage site.

This new Stonehenge would be built using both modern and ancient methods which the public would be invited to watch. There are plans for the media to document the build stage.

This project is to be a living laboratory for academics as well as an educational visitor attraction. We believe that by building a new Stonehenge we will be leaving behind an artistic legacy for our descendants to enjoy for millennia to come.

1 If people want to find out more information on the various building stages of Stonehenge itself details are on the English Heritage website at www.englisheritage.co.uk

2 For information on the Preseli Bluestones our website is www.stonehengestones.com