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Seahenge

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Warrior King
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« Reply #30 on: August 25, 2007, 12:40:19 am »



The Seahenge Stump being preserved at Flag Fen

The excavation

The Norfolk Archaeology Unit undertook initial fieldwork in late 1998. They showed that the circle was probably early Bronze Age. The timber circle was, in fact, egg-shaped, made of 55 split oak timbers with a maximum diameter of 6.78 metres. It was a unique 4000 year old survivor from the time of Stonehenge.

Surveys confirmed that the beach on the soft Norfolk coast was eroding rapidly. The blanket of peat, which protected the timbers from the elements that could destroy it - microbes, wood boring snails and the force of the waves - had virtually disappeared.


   
 
It is English Heritage’s job to protect archaeological sites. Wherever possible these are left in the ground and cared for in situ. Seahenge was different: it was in danger of being lost altogether.

After a lot of thought by English Heritage, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk Archaeology Unit and the owner of the beach, the Le Strange Estate, it was decided to excavate and remove the timbers.

The debate

Some people objected to the excavation – some local people felt they had not been consulted about ‘their’ Seahenge and that it should be left alone; some neo-Druids objected on religious grounds; and some people were not convinced that the circle was really at risk from the sea.

Most archaeological excavations do not attract much public attention or controversy but Seahenge became the subject of a very public debate. Who owns the past? How do you weigh up science and spirituality? How should difficult decisions be made in the face of conflicting opinion?
 
 
« Last Edit: August 25, 2007, 12:41:00 am by Warrior King » Report Spam   Logged
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