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Play your part in help saving this world famous site

Stonehenge is a World Heritage Site, described as the most archaeologically significant land surface in Europe. It is a prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire consisting of an outer ring of huge sarsen stones each around 13ft high and weighing around 25 tons, with smaller bluestones in the centre. The whole monument is oriented towards the sunrise of the summer solstice, set within an earthworks in the middle of a huge complex of neolithic and bronze age monuments. It is an archaeological and cultural treasure chest – many yet undiscovered.

It’s one of the reasons why Stonehenge is one of the most famous sites in the country and a cultural and spiritual icon. Since 1882 it has been protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and in 1986 was added to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

On the longest day, thousands of people flock to the site to watch the sun rise, its upward journey sees the life giving rays pierce the gap between the upright stones in another Neolithic masterpiece of engineering.

There is nothing quite like it in the world. Archeological findings point towards some 4000 bronze age people gathering just as we do now to watch the sun rise – some from as far away as the Scottish highlands.

Which makes the green light given by the Transport Secretary for a four lane carriageway with tunnel bored through the site so astonishing.

You can help play your part in protecting this astonishing monument and supporting our work in Wiltshire by signing up to join us.

For anyone wanting to take more action in helping to protect this Neolithic masterpiece, you can write to your MP.

You can find your MP here.

 

 

The proposals, which are now being considered by the High Court following the challenge by the Save Stonehenge alliance – of which CPRE Wiltshire is a part – include a four lane tunnel through this Bronze Age site.

The Examining Authority, a five person panel of inspectors, examined the application by Highways England and said the scheme, with ‘deep cuttings and tunnel entrances within the World Heritage Site, would permanently harm the integrity of Stonehenge and its surrounding areas.’

We are running out of time to Save Stonehenge – don’t delay in playing your part to save our heritage.