The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

The Thornborough Henges

Miscellaneous

"51/2 miles north of Ripon, 1 mile northeast of West Tanfield the Thornborough circles.
Early in bronze Age times the land about Ripon, between the Ure and the Swale, became a religious centre. Six enormous sacred sites were built in an area 7 miles long; among them at least 28 barrows were accumulated.
The most impressive henge monuments are the 3 Thornborough Circles. Of these, the central one is the most accessible, the northern one is the best preserved (because it is protected from the plough by trees). Each circle, like those east of Ripon, has a maximum diameter of about 800 ft. They are all nearly circular, with entrances NW and SE. Each has a massive bank, originally about 10ft high, with a ditch inside and outside it, about 65ft. wide and 8 - 10ft deep. The outer ditch of each circle is now filled up by the ploughing. Broad spaces about 40ft wide separate the banks from their ditches - an architectural refinement nowhere else in England."

Guide to Prehistoric England, Nicholas Thomas
Posted by BrigantesNation
1st June 2003ce

Comments (0)

You must be logged in to add a comment