Posted on 09/18/2017 6:36:00 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Sadly, the truth is that the monument we see today was rebuilt as far back as 1901 when restoration process caused great outrage but was rarely referred to in official guidebooks.
William Gowland oversaw the first major restoration of the monument which involved the straightening and concrete setting of sarsen stone number 56 which was in danger of falling. In straightening the stone he moved it about half a meter from its original position.
During the 1920 restoration William Hawley, who had excavated nearby Old Sarum, excavated the base of six stones and the outer ditch. Richard Atkinson, Stuart Piggott and John F. S. Stone re-excavated much of Hawley’s work in the 1940s and 1950s and discovered the carved axes and daggers on the Sarsen Stones.
In 1958 the stones were restored again when three of the standing sarsens were re-erected and set in concrete bases. The last restoration was carried out in 1963 after stone 23 of the Sarsen Circle fell over.
Cambridge University archeological archivist and leading Stonehenge author Christopher Chippindale admitted: ‘Not much of what we see at Stonehenge hasn’t been touched in some way’. And historical research student Brian Edwards, who recently revealed that the nearby Avebury Monument had been totally rebuilt, has found rare pictures of Stonehenge being restored. He said: ‘It has been as if Stonehenge had been historically cleansed’. ‘For too long people have been kept in the dark over the Stonehenge restoration work. I am astonished by how few people know about it. It is wonderful the guide book is going to tell the full story in the future.’
(Excerpt) Read more at ancient-code.com ...
My memory was that we didn’t get too close. But close enough to enjoy the awesome sight. I have a facebook friend who actually works there so she keeps us abreast of everything Stonehenge. Of course, she claims to be a Druid!
I think that was the 1985 reconstruction ;)
Been there. Pretty good site.
I feel honored to have been lucky enough to walk up to the stones and touch them to my heart's content...
No fencing.
1988(?)
No fencing ... 1973.
How was Stonehenge built?
The answer of the ages, WITH A CRANE !
I was there about that time too when you could walk right out to the stones.
However, there were numerous low-lifes carving their initials into the stones, etc., so...
They built a wall (fence) to keep people out.
I saw Robert Taylor push one over with his hand, and some idiot family from Chicago backed a car into it causing it to collapse. You DO believe the movies, don’t you?
I found the ignition switch to restart the engine. I just have picked a star system yet.
“Your job is not to be as confused as Nigel.”
My favorite British rock group :)
“However, there were numerous low-lifes carving their initials into the stones, etc., so...”
A long time ago you could climb the pyramids to the top (since closed).
At the top of the great pyramid there was a lot of graffiti carved in it -— in Greek, Aramaic, and Latin. It was fascinating in and of itself.
I hope the Sam Hill it was.
Thanks. Haven’t seen ‘em yet...
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