Neolithic complex dubbed ‘Stonehenge of the North’ opens to UK public

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Two sections of the Thornborough Henges adjacent Ripon, UK, person been donated to the nationalist assemblage Historic England successful an effort to sphere the millennia-old monuments

Humans 3 February 2023

By Madeleine Cuff

Central Henge, Thornborough Henges. ?Historic England Archive

The cardinal of the 3 Thornborough Henges

Historic England

Thornborough Henges, a Neolithic analyzable adjacent Ripon successful North Yorkshire, UK, known arsenic the “Stonehenge of the North”, has been donated to nationalist ownership and is present unfastened to visitors.  

The tract dates from 3500 to 2500 BC and features 3 world circles, each 4 metres precocious and 200 metres across. The earthworks were astir apt utilized arsenic ceremonial gathering places and trading centres by aboriginal Britons, archaeologists believe. 

Two of the 3 henges person been donated to the nationalist assemblage Historic England by gathering steadfast Tarmac. They are present nether the attraction of the foundation English Heritage and are free for the nationalist to visit. Lightwater Holdings, a section company, has besides donated parts of the wider monument. 

The henges are “a nexus to our past ancestors, done thousands of years, inspiring a consciousness of wonderment and mystery”, Duncan Wilson astatine Historic England said successful a statement.

“We are thrilled to person acquired this highly important tract for the nation, ensuring that these magnificent monuments are harmless and volition beryllium preserved for generations to come.” 

Southern and Central Henges, Thornborough Henges. ?Historic England Archive

The confederate and cardinal henges

Historic England

The transportation of ownership means the 2 earthworks will beryllium removed from Historic England’s hazard register. They person been connected the registry since 2009, implicit concerns the sites were being eroded by livestock and rabbits.  

Today, each 3 henges are disposable arsenic large, circular banks, but thousands of years ago, they would person stood supra wetlands. They whitethorn person been covered successful a sulphate mineral known arsenic gypsum, creating achromatic landmarks disposable for miles.  

The site’s opening to the nationalist volition bring its communicative to caller audiences, according to Kate Mavor astatine English Heritage. “Thornborough Henges is 1 of the astir important past sites successful Britain and yet astir wholly unknown. We are looking guardant to sharing its significance, its stories and its secrets with the public,” she said successful a statement. 

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