Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Newsletter SUMMER 2018 SUMMER 2018 Thank you to the following Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Newsletter people who have contributed to this edition of Megalith:
Clare Blick Chris Jones Patrick Cashman Helen Miah Ros Cleal Steph Payne Briony Clifton Sarah Simmonds Brian Edwards Gill Swanton Elizabeth Falconer Jessica Trethowan Jo Hutchings
Contact us at Stonehenge and Avebury WHS Coordination Unit Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Cocklebury Road Chippenham WILTSHIRE SN15 3QN
[email protected] t. 01225 718 470
Sarah Simmonds Stonehenge and Avebury WHS Partnership Manager [email protected]
Editor: Helen Miah Helen Miah Designed by Michael Goddard Stonehenge and Avebury WHS [email protected] Partnership Officer [email protected] Published by Stonehenge and Avebury WHS Coordination Unit 2018 Supported by Historic England www.stonehengeandaveburywhs.org and Wiltshire Council @StoneAveWHS SUMMER 2018 Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Newsletter Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Newsletter SUMMER 2018
Finally, a warm welcome to our latest new Welcome to the seventh edition connection, Helen Miah, who joined the World Heritage Site team at the end of of Megalith, the annual newsletter for 2017. You can read about Helen’s growing passion for the World Heritage Site and the Stonehenge and Avebury how she is bringing her skills, experience World Heritage Site. and even her hobbies to bear in encouraging people out into the landscape to connect with the World Heritage Site The very close connection through geocaching as well as their own between heritage and nature in creativity. the World Heritage landscape is brought to life in some We’d like to thank contributors to this fascinating articles exploring edition including English Heritage, the projects aimed at boosting National Trust, Historic England, Highways biodiversity in the Site and England, Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire beyond. Museum, Natural England, the RSPB, Bournemouth University, local landowners Photo ©Helen Miah ©Helen Photo and farmers and the local community. Looking across to Silbury from Waden Hill To learn more about the World Heritage In this edition we have a wonderful The Impact with Light project saw Finnish Find out about how Natural Site and its management visit: collection of articles reflecting the wide artist Kari Kola create an amazing light England, the RSPB and others are range of values associated with the World installation, for one night only, at working closely with farmers and www.stonehengeandaveburywhs.org, Heritage Site. There really is something Stonehenge to mark both this centenary volunteers to deliver blooming to interest and engage everyone, from and World Heritage Day in April this year. barrows, butterflies and follow us on Twitter our magnificent prehistoric landscapes You can see some of the stunning important landscape scale @StoneAveWHS right up to the cutting edge technology photographs of the results on the cover wildlife corridors. or like us on our Facebook page: of a virtual reality Avebury which you can and inside. Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage find out about on page 24. Connections and partnerships are Site Another centenary, the year some women at the heart of our approach to . In 1918 Cecil Chubb gifted Stonehenge finally got the vote, is celebrated with an managing the World Heritage Site. We hope that you enjoy this edition of to the nation and to mark the centenary exhibition focussing on women in We hope you will agree that this Megalith. Please contact us if you'd like this year two very different events took archaeology at Avebury. You can read edition of Megalith really brings extra copies or you’d like to get involved in place. Find out about how archaeologists about this and a connection between Jane out the range of partners involved some of the exciting activities you’ve read turned out in boaters, bonnets and Austen and Avebury Manor in this edition. and their dedication and passion about in Megalith. suffragette costumes to play cricket against I explore connections further afield in an for working together to look after Shrewton Cricket Club at an event where article on my visit to South Korea this year. all aspects of the World Heritage Sarah Simmonds Cecil, himself a local Shrewton man and I consider what challenges Stonehenge and landscape and make it a vibrant Stonehenge and Avebury keen cricketer, would have felt quite Avebury face in common with Silk Route and exciting place to visit. WHS Partnership Manager at home. sites and why international links are so important.
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Blooming barrows - our historic and natural heritage intertwined
On farmland in the south of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, just over the busy A303, years of sympathetic management to protect historic Photo © Rachel Hosier monuments, reconnect them in the landscape and restore our natural heritage are starting to show tangible and delightful results.
Most striking is arguably the Normanton Down barrow cemetery, which forms a line of barrows and burial features on a ridge immediately southwest of the Stonehenge circle.
Surveying grassland quadrat at Normanton Down These historic monuments are on private farmland, and at the start of the 21st century were maintained as small islands of grassland and scrub surrounded by cereal fields. However, the farmers, supported by Natural England’s wildlife friendly farming grants, have since taken many of the surrounding fields out of arable production and turned them to grassland. Volunteer work parties have also been active in removing scrub from the barrows.
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Today it is not just the barrows that This process needs Blooming barrows support chalk wildflowers such as wild careful management thyme, milkwort, small scabious, dropwort and the farmer, grazier, and fairy flax but also the surrounding RSPB and Natural landscape setting. Drifts of lady’s bedstraw, England meet annually This open landscape retains a rare air red clover, ox-eye daisy and bird’s-foot to review the season of tranquillity and is home to increasingly trefoil carpet the ground, with the palette and plan next year’s important populations of once more of colours topped up with random complementary sheep widespread farmland birds such as the wildflowers such as the deep purple of and cattle grazing. stone-curlew, lapwing, corn bunting and clustered bellflower and rose pink The grazing keeps the Common Blue butterfly Kidney Vetch skylark. A core area barrows free of scrub, has been set up with provides an open one of the farmers sward for wildflowers as the Normanton and of course dung for Down nature reserve insects, which in turn by the Royal Society provide food for for the Protection nesting birds. of Birds (RSPB). Monitoring has Dropwort coming into bloom revealed that the Sowing wildflower seed at Normanton Down Marbled White butterfly Wild Thyme relict chalk flora is now spilling off the barrows into the of common centaury. The growing The success of this partnership at work is best seen surrounding grasslands and reconnecting numbers and diversity of insect life are also in early spring, when the big open skies of this ancient the ancient monuments with a landscape testimony to the change from arable fields landscape are alive with the tumbling of displaying of yesteryear. This has been augmented by to a haven for downland wildlife. Most lapwing, chortling skylarks, and the evocative wailing bringing in flower-rich hay from nearby conspicuous being the butterflies such as of stone-curlews at dusk. The clean lines of the downland farms and strewing it on the common blue, meadow brown, dark-green monuments are easiest to pick out on the open down Down. Additionally by sowing and drilling fritillary and marbled white which provide where frolicing lambs bleat and yellow nodding wildflower seed collected from nearby an extra mobile dimension of colour in cowslips stretch to the horizon. mid-summer. Salisbury Plain. Hosier Rachel and Cashman Patrick © Photos Patrick Cashman Clustered Bellflower Site Manager, RSPB Wiltshire Reserves
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A303 consultation Helen joins the WHS team
Earlier this year Highways England held Highways England has used the Helen Miah joined the World a public consultation on its proposals for consultation feedback to develop its plans Heritage Site Coordination Unit the A303 past Stonehenge, between and make changes to the proposals at the end of November 2017 Amesbury and Berwick Down. Highways submitted for public consultation in the replacing Liam Wiseman as the England’s aims for the scheme are to spring of 2018. The proposed changes Partnership Officer. Helen has transform journey reliability, enhance safety were designed to minimise impacts on a background in public sector and improve connectivity to the South the World Heritage Site and its Arts and Culture and Performing West whilst at the same time bringing Outstanding Universal Value. The public Arts Education. benefits to the Stonehenge World were invited to comment on the proposed Heritage Site which is currently bisected changes via a supplementary consultation A recent convert to the great by the existing A303. The scheme which ran for 28 days in July and August. outdoors Helen is delighted to comprises an 8-mile long dual carriageway be working in such an inspirational made up of the following key elements: The feedback from the supplementary landscape. consultation has been added to that
l A twin-bore tunnel at least 1.8 miles already received and should help Highways She is thoroughly enjoying exploring Williams Photos © Josie long, through a large part of the World England to identify an improved solution and learning about the extraordinary Heritage Site landscape past Stonehenge before submitting its application later this Outstanding Universal Value of the Site year for a Development Consent Order and the complexities of working across l A new junction between the A303 to build the scheme. If development a dynamic partnership of stakeholders. and A360 consent is granted by the Secretary of With a passion for broadening State, construction is planned to start in engagement, Helen has had fun at l A new junction between the A303 and 2021 and the new road would be open a number of events this summer A345 at the site of the existing Countess for traffic in 2026. encouraging everyone to think more Roundabout about World Heritage by making their For further information visit the Highways own World Heritage ‘inspired by’ charm. l A bypass to the north of Winterbourne England website at: Stoke with a viaduct over the Till valley www.highways.gov.uk/a303stonehenge See page 34 for more.
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Beneath the boards at Avebury Manor Ros Cleal Trust/ Photo © National
Painted wall plaster
Photos © National Trust/Briony Clifton Early 19th century gaming token Sixteenth century groat
Avebury Manor is a 500 year old, The remainder of the dusty material did multi-phase Manor house built on the site not let us down after what we thought of a Benedictine priory. Last winter, three may have been the highlight of the National Trust volunteers and I began excavation. Although we still have plenty an excavation beneath the floorboards of more to sift through, we have uncovered two rooms on the second floor. dozens of pieces of clay pipe, painted wall plaster and a beautiful 16th century brass We went in ahead of ceiling conservation jetton (a coin-like counter used to assist works in the room below (carried out with calculations). There was also an early by Cliveden Conservation) because there 19th century gaming token made of ivory were several centuries of untouched dust in the shape of a fish; unfortunately with beneath the boards which needed a broken tail. excavating, and the discoveries plotting and recording. These types of ivory tokens were often brought in from China at this time, and you We crossed the threshold with relatively can find them written about in Jane Austen: high hopes of finding a few interesting “Lydia talked incessantly of lottery tickets, artefacts and, as it turned out, it was an of the fish she had lost and the fish she had exciting excavation almost straight away. won…” (Pride and Prejudice). The work Within the first hour of day one, the first continues, with a volunteer force helping to historic coin of the excavation was sift through the remaining dust, perhaps uncovered. Not only was it the first coin, finding a small ivory fishtail in the process. it was also a 16th century groat from Henry VIII’s time (1526 - 1544), and it Briony Clifton, National Trust Assistant is in fantastic condition! Archaeologist, Stonehenge and Avebury WHS Photo © National Trust Images/ James Dobsen Trust Photo © National
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To celebrate World Heritage Day 2018, Geocaching on World I placed 3 new geocaches on byways near Windmill Hill and hosted a CITO (Cash in Heritage Day Trash Out) Event. Over 30 cachers came from across the region and together we Finding new and different ways to engage collected over 30 bags of rubbish from the as many different people as possible is a area, mostly near to the A4. It’s been central theme of the World Heritage Site fascinating seeing who finds the caches and Management Plan. Engaging people with reading all their logs. culture is also an absolute passion of mine and has been central to my life. It is not ‘Last of the morning and a very cute surprising then, that given the opportunity container! Thanks for bringing me back to to develop events to celebrate World the magical place. I've not been up here in Heritage Day, I should seek to find ways years! TFTC! (thanks for the cache)’ is to engage a different audience. In this case a typical comment. the geocaching community.
For anyone that hasn’t heard of geocaching my favourite description is, ‘I use multi-million pound satellites to find Tupperware in the ‘I use multi-million pound woods!’ Put it another satellites to find Tupperware way Geocachers use in the woods!’ GPS tracking systems, now commonly found There are millions of geocaches all over the in all mobile technology Photos © Josie Williams Photos © Josie world. It’s a fantastic hobby for getting to hide and seek The Fox Geocache outside, discovering new places and having containers, called fun with the family. Geocachers are very "geocaches" or "caches", at specific locations respectful of the countryside and the marked by coordinates all over the world. environment and there are strict rules over where caches can be placed e.g. they are A typical cache is a small waterproof never buried in the ground. The National container containing a logbook and Trust have included finding a geocache as sometimes a pen or pencil. The geocacher #49 in their ’50 Things to do before you're signs the log with their established code 11 ¾’, and have placed caches of their own name and dates it, in order to prove that at many of their sites. they found the cache. After signing the log, the cache must be placed back exactly Helen Miah where the cacher found it. Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Partnership Officer Collecting rubbish along the byway Bags of litter collected on World Heritage Day 12 13 SUMMER 2018 SUMMER Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Newsletter Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Newsletter SUMMER 2018
Our exhibition until 13 October 2018 #heritage4generations @WiltshireMuseum showcases the work of Peter Dunn, archaeological artist. Best known for his series of reconstructions of Stonehenge for English Heritage, we are delighted to be It was a pleasure to welcome Young showing Peter’s beautiful artwork here in WANHS (Wiltshire Archaeology and Devizes. His extraordinarily detailed and Natural History Society) for a special intricate paintings really bring the past alive. session to celebrate World Heritage Day in April. Our young visitors worked as Past, present and future; landscape, art and a team to create a model of Stonehenge. history; we work together in partnership #heritage4generations @StoneAveWHS Peter Dunn, archaeological artist
Foam Henge
Bush Barrow display
Next was a tour of our prehistory galleries with a chance to sketch some of the fabulous Bronze Age objects on display. Each young artist created a fantastic, The Piper window, featuring colourful painting of the @StoneAveWHS Avebury and other Wiltshire landscape. For a further celebration, icons, casts a glow over artefacts visitors both young (and not so young) had Young WANHS at the Museum representing 30 years of Art Fund the opportunity to build our famous ‘Foam support, including the original Henge’ and then make their own miniature A special exhibition opened for May cartoon painted by the artist and version to take home. and June, dedicated to the memory of acquired by the Museum in 1984. Dr Paul Robinson, FSA. Paul was Curator There was something for everyone! at the Museum for more than 20 years, If you partake of Twitter, don’t miss the and passionate about Wiltshire. Through latest representations of Stonehenge working closely with Art Fund, he helped shared by @clonehenge. This entertaining ensure that Wiltshire’s Story was told, and account celebrates its 10th anniversary this will continue to be told, for generations year; great photos and very much worth a to come. virtual visit! The Piper window, featuring Avebury and other Wiltshire icons
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In late 2017 Historic England published We will probably never have all the Stonehenge a new edition of Stonehenge - The story answers even when faced with supposedly so far by archaeologist Julian Richards. ‘hard’ archaeological evidence, there will The story so far Since the first edition in 2006 there has always be differing ways in which it can been a flurry of activity: re-examinations be interpreted. This is why archaeology Stonehenge is one of our of old ideas, extensive geophysical survey and in particular exploring the prehistoric greatest prehistoric treasures, of the wider landscape and many new past is so fascinating. The story is a unique stone monument and excavations both within this landscape and, constantly changing. a lasting testament to the beliefs significantly, in 2008, at Stonehenge itself. and skills of our ancient ancestors. There have been new discoveries, some The book is aimed at those who are It has survived, even if now in fundamental questions have been fascinated by Stonehenge but who want a semi-ruined state, for around answered while others have been raised more than the guidebook can offer. If this 5,000 years since building started. and some ideas have been turned on their has whetted your appetite for exploring heads. the Stonehenge landscape, then In the early take a look at the Stonehenge 21st century, This book is not the final answer. and Avebury Map – ideal for with a new It reflects our current understanding of walkers and others wishing visitor centre, Stonehenge, but future investigations will to discover the fascinating enhanced undoubtedly change this, perhaps again landscape of the two halves interpretation in quite radical ways. Despite the best of the World Heritage site. and the attempts of archaeologists and scientists, With Stonehenge on one side opportunity Stonehenge will always retain some of its and Avebury on the other, to explore the mystery – one of the reasons why it is the map shows and describes surrounding such an object of universal fascination. both visible and hidden landscape, it attracts well over a million The title, Stonehenge – The story so far, remains, with information about where visitors a year. Stonehenge has never is a carefully considered choice. you can find out more. Happy reading really been forgotten. Romans and and exploring! Saxons visited it while medieval monks Julian draws on nearly 40 years of drew it and created elaborate personal study to explain the development Clare Blick mythologies to explain its construction. of Stonehenge’s complex structures Historic England Since then, and particularly over the and places them in their rich landscape last four or five centuries, it has been of burial and ceremony. In seeking Megalith readers can get 25% discount the subject of endless investigation to explain how Stonehenge was built this on both these titles by shopping at the and speculation by antiquarians, book draws on experimentation and Historic England online shop – visit pioneering archaeologists and practical insight, and helps us to answer https://retail.historicenglandservices.org.uk and enter MEGA18 on the basket page. scientists, as well as mystics, stargazers some of the big questions: who built it and and all those who seek its spirituality when, how and why? Stonehenge – The story so far by Julian and meaning. Richards (9781848021006,£25.00) Photo: James O. Davies © Historic England James O. Photo: Stonehenge and Avebury Map (9781848021266, £9.99)
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English Heritage shines a light on 100 years of care and conservation at Stonehenge
To celebrate UNESCO World Heritage Kari Kola said, “The Impact with Light Kate Davies, English Heritage Director Day on 18th April and as part of activities project begins at Stonehenge. The site of Stonehenge said: “We were thrilled to mark 100 years of care and is truly iconic and globally one of the most to work with Kari Kola on this incredible conservation at Stonehenge, English significant in terms of the origins of our project to light up Stonehenge. Heritage worked with Finnish Light Artist cultural history. The light installation at Kari’s project shone a light on Stonehenge Kari Kola to light up the iconic stone circle Stonehenge was realised in cooperation on World Heritage Day in this centenary at the heart of the World Heritage Site. with English Heritage and I am deeply year of the monument being given to honoured by the way in which the charity the nation. has embraced my work. Kari’s breath-taking art helps us to see Stonehenge in a different light. Looking at the ancient stones today, it is easy to assume that their future was always secure but at the beginning of the 20th century, that was far from the case – our most important prehistoric monument was at risk Artist Kari Kola illuminated the monument of collapse. 2018 marks a hundred overnight and into the dawn of World years of Stonehenge belonging to Heritage Day which was also celebrated us all and the monument getting around the World Heritage Site and the care it deserves.” beyond with a special programme of activities and events, including talks and Kari Kola’s Impact with volunteer-led activities at Stonehenge. Light at Stonehenge was installed using 80 LED lights The incredible artwork at Stonehenge overnight and in the early hours was the first element of Kola’s Impact with of World Heritage Day. Light project which aims to focus attention Impact with Light was the first step on my on World Heritage Sites, aiming to increase journey to the International Day of Light English Heritage is hosting a programme of awareness of UNESCO’s work, cultural in May when I crafted a light installation on special events, lectures and activities to history and global themes such as climate the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.” celebrate 100 years of care and Photos © English Heritage change. conservation at Stonehenge.
http://www.englishheritage.org.uk/Stonehenge100
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Period music was played to echo village celebrations dating back to at least 1826, the Shrewton Silver Band put on a fine performance. Greg Hancock wrote and published ‘The Ballad of Cecil and Mary Chubb’ especially for the event. This song is available to download [https://greghancock.bandcamp.com/track /the-ballad-of-cecil-and-mary-chubb].
The Shrewton Valley Horticultural Society Photo © Chris Nixon Photo © Chris Nixon Photo © Chris Nixon put on a flower show, recalling their annual shows first held in 1856. Other stalls The Stonehenge Chubb Centenary Day included the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site, Shrewton Marking a century of Held on Sunday 8th July Community Speedwatch, Health Watch public ownership of the at Shrewton Recreation Wiltshire, and Wessex Archaeology. There most famous prehistoric Ground, the Stonehenge was in addition a display of vintage sewing site in the world, 2018 Chubb Centenary Day machines, and Shrewton Scouts and witnesses the centenary was based on annual Guides were active throughout the event. of Mary and Cecil Chubb’s events that, from the gift of Stonehenge to eighteenth century, English Heritage’s display included the nation. established a celebratory a magnetic self-build model of Stonehenge format at both and the ice cream van kindly visited on This gift was ultimately Stonehenge and loan from the Stonehenge Visitor Centre. brought about through the Shrewton through English Heritage also provided prizes for Shrewton born and raised cultural gatherings and a Stonehenge Replica Competition, which Cecil meeting the then Mary Fern exhibitions entwined with cricket, band attracted entries from under -11s, 11-14, when he was playing cricket, with their music and singing. 15-18, and adult age groups. courtship growing to the background of The event was kindly sponsored by cricket matches. In a unique community-hosted cricket Even Cecil and Mary Chubb were in Amesbury Museum and Heritage Trust, tournament Shrewton Cricket Club evidence, in the form of a life-size Wessex Archaeology, and Wiltshire Life. The couple married in 1902, took on and beat teams of archaeologists cardboard cut-out sponsored by English Partners, players and prize givers included Mary received a £100,000 legacy in 1905, (wearing period flat caps), heritage Heritage. This was created from Shrewton Parish Council, Shrewton and in 1915 Cecil bought Stonehenge professionals (wearing boaters and a photograph supplied by Jane Hills Cricket Club, Stonehenge and Avebury at auction because he thought a local bonnets), and the Prehistoric Society who kindly responded to an appeal for World Heritage Site, English Heritage Trust, person ought to buy it. It seemed fitting (dressed as Suffragettes). Adorned with a photograph of Mary broadcast by The National Trust, Historic England, BAJR, then to celebrate the selfless act of gifting badges from the fields of archaeology the BBC. Wiltshire Council, The Prehistoric Society, Stonehenge to us all in 1918 by organising and heritage, the trophy was a modern the Southern Co-op and Wiltshire Council. a cricket match at Shrewton and creating take on the ‘good hat’ awarded as the prize an event that Mary and Cecil Chubb at the earliest known cricket tournament Brian Edwards would have been familiar with. held at Stonehenge in 1781.
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The Alexander Keiller Museum at 80 Women and archaeology at Avebury
The work of Alexander Keiller at Avebury is well established and
recognised, but the contribution of Photo: © National Trust / Emma Weston 2018 Weston Emma / Trust National © Photo: women to the archaeological work here is largely unknown. Throughout this year a small exhibition in the Barn Gallery of the Alexander Keiller Museum is highlighting the work of nine female The newly displayed Barn gallery of the Alexander Keiller Museum archaeologists in the Avebury On June 1st this year the museum at Since 1994 the museum has been What the next 80 years holds is anyone’s Museum. Keiller Alexander Photo: World Avebury celebrated the 80th anniversary managed by the National Trust under an guess, but we hope that the museum will Heritage Site of its opening in 1938. Its founder, agreement with English Heritage; it is open still be here, at the heart of the World during the Alexander Keiller, purchased Avebury 362 days a year, and has been for many Heritage Site, caring for and presenting the twentieth Manor in 1937 and converted the Manor years. collections, facilitating research, and adding century. stables into a museum to display the finds interest and enjoyment to the experience from his excavations in and around In 2001 the museum was enlarged when of visiting Avebury. Veronica (Liddell) Keiller at Windmill Hill during the 1925-1929 excavations Avebury. Unlike his previous, private, a permanent exhibition was created in museum in London, the Avebury museum a large barn close to the original museum Dr Ros Cleal was for the public and was located within building, and in 2005 a new store and area Curator, Alexander Keiller Museum As part of this exhibition the the site from which the collections came. for research visits was opened in National Trust commissioned the The National Trust purchased the museum converted buildings around 150m from The museum is free to National Trust and organisation Trowelblazers to create building in 1943, the collections were gifted the public galleries. This year the exhibition English Heritage members and to residents a series of graphic panels to present to the nation by Alexander Keiller’s widow, in the Barn gallery has been redisplayed, of Avebury parish (for the latter please the work of women in archaeology Gabrielle in 1966, and from 1944 to 1994 with completely rewritten and redesigned bring some proof of address), otherwise on a broader historical scale, the museum was managed by English graphic panels and with the content admission charges apply. to establish the context in which the Heritage and its predecessors. brought up to date. More additions are Avebury women were working. planned, particularly in order to Research visits to the collections or to use incorporate the results of excavations in the library can be arranged by emailing the https://trowelblazers.com and around Avebury and research on the Curator, museum collections. [email protected]
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Virtual Avebury has been created from lidar data, archaeological findings and historical documents, to simulate how the Avebury Stone Circles may have appeared and sounded around 2,300 BCE. Photo © Liz Falconer
One of the foci of our research is how these kinds of immersive simulations might be incorporated into museums and heritage interpretation, and we invited visitors to Avebury to try the simulation during June, July and August 2018 at our VR station in The Barn Gallery of the Alexander Keiller Museum. Photo © Liz Falconer Simulation of the southern inner circle, Avebury
Simulation of the southern entrance to the henge I keep walking, passing between two How can virtual stones that tower over my head, and Our early findings demonstrate a range reality technologies into a wide-open expanse of grassland, of reactions from visitors, but the enclosed by white-topped banks that overwhelming one is ‘I didn’t realise how help us to explore recede into the distance. The land slopes big Avebury is!’ You can follow the ongoing up gently, towards two collections of project, see dates for further public ancient sites? stones in the interior of the circle, although participation and see the findings from from this distance I can’t see any pattern the research at: or form in their arrangement. https://tinyurl.com/virtual-avebury. The sun is rising into a clear blue sky. But this is a strange place. The sun is I hear the plaintive call of a red kite circling shining, but I can’t feel its warmth. Virtual Avebury is a project funded by the above me, and the gusting wind is carrying The wind is blowing but my hair doesn’t Arts and Humanities Research Council and the calls of distant roe deer and wolves move. Walking up the slope doesn’t make Photo © Daden Limited Engineering and Physical Sciences Research from the Marlborough Downs in the my knees hurt. And yet I am here. The VR equipment used to experience the simulation Council, under the 2017 Immersive distance. I can see the outside of an And so are others; I see someone in the Partnerships scheme. It is a partnership enormous banked earthwork in front of distance, walking along the path between We’re really interested to know how between Bournemouth University, the me, and tantalising views of stones that the collections of stones near the centre. a sense of Virtual Avebury as place might National Trust, virtual reality developers appear to lead to an inner area. I set out I’m in Virtual Avebury, wearing a headset emerge from peoples’ experiences there, Daden Limited, and soundscape specialists across the grass and wild flowers, through that completely replaces my view of the particularly as pairs of visitors can be in Satsymph. the entrance and onto a causeway; I see physical world, and I’m holding a device the simulation at the same time, speaking two dizzyingly deep ditches on either side, in each hand that enables me to move to each other and chasing each other Professor Liz Falconer which momentarily take my breath away. around and interact with this virtual place. around the stones. Bournemouth University
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This year the North Wessex Downs The History of Agriculture this year was In 2017 Open Farm Sunday took Open Farm Sunday AONB, the Wiltshire Geology Group cereal production through time, as ever place at Avebury, courtesy of and Bournemouth University took part backed up by loans of items from Wiltshire CB Cooper Partnership. It featured as well as the WHS and Wiltshire Museum Museum, the highlight of which was the an art collection, reflecting the who have worked together for several Iron Age Quern over which many people WHS Management Plan, plus The event took place on June 10th years. laboured to grind enough wheat to make activities for children in the art at Temple Farm, by kind invitation of a pancake, let alone a loaf! The wheat was sphere led by Charles Rodwell. Count Goess-Sarau and was a great The Bournemouth University display kindly provided by the CB Cooper success due to the hard work of illustrated how landscape – and in this case Partnership and was probably a lot easier Wiltshire Museum loaned items Temple’s staff, exhibitors and the fine the Stonehenge landscape – can be used to grind than that with which our related to dairy production, the milk weather. Over 2,000 people attended, to promote Health and Wellbeing. ancestors had to contend. for which was kindly donated by the some from as far away as Bristol and Farthing family. Other displays Hampshire – and those were only the The Geology Group brought displays As always, thanks to Wiltshire Museum illustrated how the methodology used individuals we found out about. and examples of fossils found in Wiltshire, for the loans. All the “manned” stands in archaeological prospection can help which fascinated both adults and young provided activities (as usual the ‘dig’ landowners to understand the Over the years the section in which the people. disintegrated into a sandpit resulting in below-ground evidence of activity WHS Coordination Unit stall appears many grubby and rather yellow children). in the past. has evolved into ‘Landscape and Historic The AONB stand presented the The activities were definitely an attraction Environment’, which allows plenty of opportunity for people to see where they and one which one hopes holds the Gill Swanton. flexibility in what themes may be live in relation to the area it covers and to parental attention on the displays. Archaeologist, Co-chair of ASAHRG featured and who is able to take part. discover how it plays a part in protecting and Farmer the landscape.
The Museum’s own display featured its work in the preservation and display of Mentioning “manning”, the archaeology of the County and the we were a very small team exhibitions that both it and Salisbury this year but able to cover for each Museum have to illustrate why other when a tea break was required, so Stonehenge and Avebury are a World my personal thanks to Helen, David, Heritage Site. Henry, Colin and Isobel.
It was originally conceived as a way to add something different to an Open Farm Sunday event, as we live in a special place where the history of agriculture is present in the landscape and in the excellent Museum collections in the area. The World Heritage Site has always been the focus and this year, as ever, provided activities in which visitors could take part.
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The Stonehenge WHS landscape is at the Initial surveys this summer will focus on The Porton to Plain heart of this area being surveyed this searching for the marsh fritillary and three summer as part of a new project to ensure blue butterfly species (adonis, small and Wildlife Connections the future of some of our most important chalk hill) together with their food plants butterfly, bird and bat species. Faced with devil’s bit scabious, project habitat fragmentation, many species horseshoe vetch and Volunteers, alongside the Natural England are finding it increasingly difficult to move kidney vetch. To assist Field Unit and local team, are busy as through our landscapes. with the survey, bees surveying the farmed landscape volunteers were invited between the wildlife rich chalk grasslands The Porton to Plain Wildlife Connections to attend Natural of Porton Down, Parsonage Down project, being co-ordinated by Natural England and Butterfly and Salisbury Plain Sites of Special England, will help us understand and Conservation training Scientific Interest (SSSI). record the important areas for feeding workshops held on and breeding wildlife. We are particularly Pewsey Downs and focusing on blue and marsh fritillary Parsonage Down National Nature butterflies, farmland birds such as corn Reserves. bunting and bats including the rare barbastelle bat. This field work, combined The project is being run in partnership with other recent survey records, will with the National Trust, Butterfly be used to produce maps showing existing Conservation, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, habitat and potential areas which could RSPB, and the Wiltshire Bat Group. be enhanced to provide a well-connected landscape for wildlife. Working alongside Natural England would especially like the WHS team, archaeologists and local to thank the volunteers, local farmers and farmers, we will also use the information landowners for their valuable contributions to identify locations where it is possible and support for the survey. to protect both WHS archaeology and wildlife. Further updates on the project will be posted on the Natural England NNR The maps will help us provide support Facebook page or on Twitter and up to date information for farmers @NESouthWest or contact Adam and partners working to deliver benefits Langford for more information: at a landscape scale. The project is also [email protected] intended to help support future funding This area of Wiltshire remains one of the applications such as Environmental Land key strongholds of chalk grassland across Management schemes and opportunities Europe. Salisbury Plain is the largest arising out of Defra’s 25 Year Environment expanse of chalk grassland in northwest Plan. The information will also help Europe and Porton Down is one of the influence future built developments and Stephanie Payne largest areas of unimproved chalk grassland assess their impact on the wider landscape. Natural England Land Management Adviser. in the world.
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Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site
and the East Asian Maritime Silk Route Photos © Sarah © Photos Simmonds
King Taejoot Joseon, 1335 - 1408
With funding from the nearby city of Hwasung and Hanyang University in Seoul plus a week’s annual leave from my Onboard ship with international colleagues and role as World Heritage Site map of possible Maritime Silk Routes 1408 Partnership Manager, I was able to attend the symposium Traditional buildings within the Ch’angdokkung Palace complex, Seoul to share my experience of managing the Stonehenge and In May this year I was invited to South The symposium was inspired by recent The discoveries are prompting Avebury cultural landscape. Korea to present at an international excavations of the Dangseong fortress a change in the approach to the Researching, understanding, symposium on the East Asian Silk Route around two hours’ drive south of the understanding, protection and protecting and interpreting not which stretches from Japan through South Korean capital Seoul. The excavation management of the site. only individual sites and Korea to China. At first sight the links results appear to reveal the important role The focus is now extending beyond monuments but their between the Maritime Silk Route and Dangseong played in the international the fortress to include the ancient relationship both to landscape Stonehenge and Avebury sitting landlocked exchange between China and Korea from harbour, related port, and social Ch’angdokkung Palace features and to one another in Wiltshire may be difficult to perceive. the 5th to 10th century under the Silla infrastructure in the surrounding World Heritage Site is key to our approach to inscribed 1997 However, the sites share some interesting Dynasty. landscape such as the Buddhist managing the World Heritage similarities and challenges. burial ground in the hills to the Site. I presented an in-depth case study north of the site. The challenge is on the various challenges we face both shifting from protecting and to the legibility of these relationships in presenting an individual site to the landscape and to the physical remains managing a wider cultural landscape. of the monuments themselves.
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Site visit to Dangseong Fortress
With international colleagues at the Symposium
Our partnership approach to overcoming World Heritage Site status means The Silks Routes linked ancient these challenges in a landscape with Stonehenge and Avebury is part of a societies contributing to their multiple owners, and the central role of special group of natural and cultural sites development though the exchange a robust management plan endorsed by that are considered of such outstanding of ideas and technologies. all was of particular interest to delegates. importance that their significance transcends national boundaries. This brings Working with international colleagues In addition to Korean academics and with it significant international obligations helps to continue this exchange and heritage professionals the symposium to protect the site but also offers through mutual learning to contribute included delegates from Japan, China and unrivalled opportunities to work with to one of UNESCO’s fundamental aims the Institute of Archaeology at UCL. partners from across the globe to share of promoting greater understanding Discussions ranged beyond the immediate best practice and devise new and across different cultures. cultural landscape to consider Danseong’s innovative ways to address the challenges relationship to the wider East Asian we all face in looking after our unique and Maritime Silk Route and possible irreplaceable sites. nominations for World Heritage Site status as part of a potential transnational bid. Sarah Simmonds Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Partnership Manager Jogyesa Buddhist Temple, Seoul, South Korea
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At the World Heritage Site Partnership Inspired by World Coordination Unit we are always looking for opportunities to get out and about and Heritage spread the word about World Heritage. This summer we have been visiting various community events and having lots of fun making ‘Inspired by World Heritage’ Inspired by Fraser Island charms. Here’s how it works. Fraser Island lies off the east coast Photos © Helen Miah Helen © Photos We’ve got a series of fact sheets about of Australia. At 122 km long, it is 24 different World Heritage sites in the the largest sand island in the UK and across the globe. You pick one, world. Majestic remnants of tall rainforest growing on sand and maybe somewhere you’ve been, my half the world’s perched personal favourite being Fraser Island off the freshwater dune lakes are found Australian Coast. Or somewhere you would inland from the beach. like to go, The Kremlin and Red Square or Angkor Wat for example. Next, inspired by what you’ve seen, read, thought about and discussed you select some beads and thread. It’s been fascinating listening to the reasons why beads have been chosen.
Sometimes people go for the colours, sometimes the material, texture, shape, feel, light reflective qualities… one younger lad chose Stonehenge and Avebury because he lives there and he clearly felt a strong sense of ‘ownership’ of his World Heritage Site. He chose three beads, a green one for the earth, a grey one for the stones and blue for the sky. Simple but perfect. Then you Inspired by Gaudi thread the beads on your coloured thread with a wooden tag on one end and a charm Seven properties built by the architect Antoni Gaudí (1852– clasp on the other. The last task is to stick on 1926) in or near Barcelona testify a World Heritage Site logo sticker. That’s it, to Gaudí’s exceptional creative you are all done, you can take your charm contribution to the development home. You’ve spent time thinking about, of architecture and building learning about and creating something all technology in the late 19th and of your own inspired by World Heritage. early 20th centuries.
Helen Miah
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