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.
Any quotes are to be taken as written and not to be altered
© Preseli Bluestone Ltd
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