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Avebury

Alexander Keiller's Avebury

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Rhiannon R
Rhiannon Jan 22, 2013 14:03:14
Replying to Mustard

They ARE both destroying the archaeology. That was precisely my point, did you not look at the document? That's the reason why a responsible archaeologist, thinking about the possibilities of the future, wouldn't go digging up everything all at once. Yes some stones from the beckhampton avenue were excavated, but they didn't go digging up the entire purported line of the stones - that leaves possibilities for the future, the 'sustainability' thing mentioned.

Also, medieval traces have things to tell us too - what about the things we can find out about why the stones were buried in the first place - is that not of interest to the history of Avebury? and illuminates attitudes to the stones in later times?
if you page down there's a section that mentions this
http://www.archaeologyuk.org/ba/ba103/feat2.shtml
(stone destruction)

M Mustard
Mustard Jan 22, 2013 14:25:01
Replying to Rhiannon

Rhiannon wrote:
They ARE both destroying the archaeology. That was precisely my point, did you not look at the document? That's the reason why a responsible archaeologist, thinking about the possibilities of the future, wouldn't go digging up everything all at once. Yes some stones from the beckhampton avenue were excavated, but they didn't go digging up the entire purported line of the stones - that leaves possibilities for the future, the 'sustainability' thing mentioned.

Also, medieval traces have things to tell us too - what about the things we can find out about why the stones were buried in the first place - is that not of interest to the history of Avebury? and illuminates attitudes to the stones in later times?
if you page down there's a section that mentions this
http://www.archaeologyuk.org/ba/ba103/feat2.shtml
(stone destruction)

No, I didn't read the document. I don't have the time currently. Which is why I've repeatedly asked for examples of *what* archaeology is being destroyed. Do we have any specific examples?

B bladup
bladup Jan 22, 2013 14:27:13
Replying to Rhiannon

Rhiannon wrote:
They ARE both destroying the archaeology. That was precisely my point, did you not look at the document? That's the reason why a responsible archaeologist, thinking about the possibilities of the future, wouldn't go digging up everything all at once. Yes some stones from the beckhampton avenue were excavated, but they didn't go digging up the entire purported line of the stones - that leaves possibilities for the future, the 'sustainability' thing mentioned.

Also, medieval traces have things to tell us too - what about the things we can find out about why the stones were buried in the first place - is that not of interest to the history of Avebury? and illuminates attitudes to the stones in later times?
if you page down there's a section that mentions this
http://www.archaeologyuk.org/ba/ba103/feat2.shtml
(stone destruction)

Like someone said before the government won't fund it, so we need a modern keiller, a Branston type with money to burn, someone who knows their money is for something bigger than them, someone who knows the keiller story and wants to finish what he started, I mean i wouldn't know Keillers name if it wasn't for his great work at Avebury, we should write a letter to all the British Billionares because they have the money but lots would love to make a name for themselves away from the business field, look at the muppets on dragons den going for the fame because it was the one thing that's hard to buy, If someone did put up the cash i think they'd become a national hero to some by doing it, if you don't ask you don't get, you'd just need to make them realise how great they'd look by doing it.

L Littlestone
Littlestone Jan 22, 2013 15:55:43
Replying to Rhiannon

Interesting Brit Arch feature Rhiannon.

What come across strongly is just how much restoration/research has already been done – beginning (?) with the re-erection of Adam (no corny jokes please) in 1913 after the stone fell two years earlier. That re-erection yielded not medieval archaeology but, “...an exceptional 150 packing stones in its pit.

"Likewise, when we [the team] excavated what was left of the pit that once held its facing megalith, which with others had been burnt and broken up, we found 80 such stones, small sarsen boulders thrown in to help keep the upright in place. These were truly monumental structures.”

In other words it was the re-erection of Adam that yielded archaeological evidence not a status quo situation which would have yielded nothing.

Realistically (though many would like to see it) a complete restoration of the Avebury complex is not going to happen – at least not in or lifetimes. But, to quote the authors of the article, “Even with the Avebury henge itself there remain numerous questions relating to the sequence of stone erection and the form of the original earthwork that could be answered through targeted excavation. Let us hope this work will happen.”

Indeed, let us hope this work will happen, and that we have the pleasure of seeing at least some of the stones excavated/re-erected as well as perhaps also learning a little more of the monument, and our past, in the process.