Re: Avebury | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Avebury

CR Mar 20, 2018 11:00:49

Replying to hedgedruid

lol@ muddy-puddle Risk-Assessments...

BUT:

In all seriousness - and with some inside knowledge - there IS an increasing EROSION problem at Avebury.

The topsoil/surface is becoming badly damaged in places - this affects surface drainage and accelerates the problem.

There really is LONG-term risk to the overall monument, its setting, and potentially its accessibility....IF nothing is done soon :/

None of the problems are insurmountable -
However where is the funding and will ??

The Wiltshire County Archaeologist seems to have very little interest in the site and is probably wetting panties at the prospect of the Stonehenge Tunnel.

A very small fraction of 2.2 billion would certainly help resolve long term erosion at Avebury ...:/

A recent proposal was to create interactive-portable apps for visors at the site, including visualizations of the monument and virtual-overlay type images. etc etc...

This was part of upgrading Aveburys internet connection and creating better visitor center, with the aim of offsetting some possible restrictions on direct footfall over the most sensitive parts of the monument (and also a source of direct income for the Monument itself - now necessary after Governmental changes in funding policies...!)

This was blocked by the Wiltshire County Archaeologist - no funding or action is proposed for Avebury - and thus the Avebury Mangers must take the only course of action left - and directly close off parts of the Monument, for the sake of preventing damage.

So - bad though this may seem, the blame MUST NOT be placed on the Avebury Staff, who strive very hard to both preserve and present the monument to the public (and now have to generate income as well).

Instead blame government policy and the (in)competency of Wiltshire CC !!!

tjj Mar 20, 2018 22:42:15

Replying to CR

CR wrote:

Instead blame government policy and the (in)competency of Wiltshire CC !!!

I'm a bit nervous about the "now have to generate income as well" - is the cordoning off a precursor to charging an entry fee (as with SH). I travel through Avebury at least once a week and noticed back before Xmas there was an astonishing number of molehills in the NE and SE quarters - am wondering if this contributed to the general muddiness near the entry gates. I'm sure all will be well when the sun starts to warm the earth as will happen now we are passing the Spring equinox.

Howburn Digger Mar 21, 2018 21:43:02

Replying to CR

CR wrote:

lol@ muddy-puddle Risk-Assessments...
So ... the blame MUST NOT be placed on the Avebury Staff, who strive very hard to both preserve and present the monument to the public (and now have to generate income as well).
Instead blame government policy and the (in)competency of Wiltshire CC !!!

I don't think anyone is blaming anyone for the rain.

Some of Avebury is footpathed and some is not. Like this..

https://goo.gl/maps/Jtd4jafe89R2

It would be a pity to lay road metal, gravel paths, drainage and other unsightly stuff over the turf. I like walking on turf at sites. I think it is good that Avebury isn't totally paved over with attendant storm drains and such-like.

Maybe next time there is a big puddle the staff could put a temporary barrier round it like councils do with paths roads etc where there is a hazard (quick-witted supermarkets do this after a Milk Crisis in aisle 7.

I am really glad the Wiltshire County Archaeologist blocked moves to

CR wrote:

"create interactive-portable apps for visors at the site, including visualizations of the monument and virtual-overlay type images. etc etc... This was part of upgrading Aveburys internet connection and creating better visitor center, with the aim of offsetting some possible restrictions on direct footfall over the most sensitive parts of the monument (and also a source of direct income for the Monument itself - now necessary after Governmental changes in funding policies...!)
This was blocked by the Wiltshire County Archaeologist - no funding or action is proposed for Avebury - and thus the Avebury Mangers must take the only course of action left - and directly close off parts of the Monument, for the sake of preventing damage.

A source of direct income for the site itself? What exactly do the stones need income for? Earth-fast stones ina field grazed by sheep? I'm afraid I see the closing off of vast areas of the site as a precursor to what everyone suspects.
First create a Milk Crisis ("reduce footfall over the most sensitive parts of the monument") Is that "most sensitive area of the site" the wee patch of dirt where the cattle feet, sheep feet and human feet have worn the turf a little? On looking at aerial images and the Google foot trail across the site there seems to be a fraction of less than one percent of the turf worn anywhere. Here.

https://goo.gl/maps/KPxyZKXwx372

Perhaps some judicious seeding of grass, buttercups and clover could be arranged. Or a suitable "wig" of turf from a surrounding bit of pasture might be cosmetically "Eltoned" onto the bald area.

This p*sh reeks of self-justification by Heritage Industry through the creation of a fake Milk Crisis in Aisle 7.

https://youtu.be/ZMeJx1jP2C0