Rotherwas Ribbon 4
Image by nigelswift

How can a decision on the future of the "Ribbon" be made before it's been fully investigated??

Indeed, but that's the basis the Council's cabinet will decide next week, aided by EH's decision not to schedule it on the same basis.

There's a council update here, dated 7 August. http://www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk/news_events2/RotherwasNews2.htm#7thAugust
Even that seems to have difficulty concealing the fact it goes a long way and is very, very special. Looks like it may be earlier than Bronze Age too. hey're asking for people to contact them with parallels as they don't have any -which says it all really.

Just love this by the archoaelogist (sorry can't spell first thing in the morning)

"In the meantime, we think that the structure is of very considerable importance in its use of deliberately burnt stone to pave a purposely-sculpted surface. Its very likely representation of a specific form (snake/cord/symbolic river) is also remarkable. The re-surfacing or re-inscription (at least in part) of the monument is also very unusual. In its possession of all these aspects together, it is so far unique, and considerably expands the known repertoire of monumentality in Neolithic/Early Bronze Age Europe. Its presence in Herefordshire should and will provoke a considerable re-think of the erstwhile widely supposed ‘peripheral’ character of Neolithic and Bronze Age activity here ."

"Does the Council realise how important it is?"