When we were visiting sites in Sardinia, it was obvious that entrance fees were supporting the maintenance of the sites, and preventing the yahoos from overrunning them.
When we were looking for the Goatstones, or statue menhirs in the Languedoc, it was obvious that there were, worldwide, millions of these sites that are now gone. What disappeared them? As Nigel says--although not in so many words--neglect.
Neglect--in the sense of a lack of respect--that lead to farming damage, reuse of the stones, nature taking its course, etc. etc. But what's the opposite of neglect? Custodianship.
I'm sorry that the UK seems incapable of caring custodianship. It's a shame. We have the same kinds of problems here in the US for so many sites. But the hump to get over is that custodianship will, inevitably, lead to visitors. As it should: and if properly done, respectful ones. Loie and I have had two "Private Visits" to Stonehenge, administered through English Heritage. We loved both of them. On our second, a Sunset Visit, we were, after a half hour, when the rain set in, apart from the Guard with whom we had a jolly chat, the only people inside Stonehenge. We had Stonehenge to ourselves. Completely. We could have licked the stones as long as we wanted.
I'd pay another twenty bucks or whatever it was to do that over and over. That's custodianship. So stop whinging about somehow having these places to yourselves, and start taking care of them. The few that remain are precious, and you have to start behaving as if they were.
Your Friend,
(Even if he doesn't sound like one, please believe me)
Bucky
