Avebury Prehistoric Site, England

 Avebury Prehistoric Site 

Avebury Prehistoric Site, England

This afternoon, I am focusing on Avebury, an English village which sits at the heart of the largest henge monuments in Britain.

The monument dates from the Late Neolithic period ( 3500 BC-2200 BC). Before venturing into the detail of the Avebury site it should be noted that Avebury should be viewed in context of the historic local landscape which features a significant number of important prehistoric monuments and sites starting with the Neolithic ( 4200BC to 3000 BC) then the Beaker Period (3000BC to 1700 BC) then the Bronze Age (1700 BC-1300 BC) and finally the Iron Age (650 BC-ad 43).  In addition to the Avebury Circles, other local sites of importance include:

  • The West Kennet Long Barrow.
  • Windmill Hill Causewayed Camp.
  • Silbury Hill.
  • Seven Barrows bronze age cemetery.
  • Stonehenge.

The Avebury site is noteworthy for the sheer size of the monuments; a grand site constructed on a grand scale. There is a  colossal earthwork with four entrances, the largest stone circle in Europe surrounding the remains of of the fifth and seventh largest rings plus a holed stone and two avenues. A possible construction sequence is as follows:

  • 2800 BC- inner North and South Circles.
  • 2600 BC- outer circle and earthwork.
  • 2400 BC-two avenues.  

There exist tracks and pathways to facilitate a systematic tour of this vast site for which visitors should allow 1-2 hours.

Avebury Prehistoric Site 

Avebury Prehistoric Site, EnglandAvebury Prehistoric Site 

Avebury Prehistoric Site, EnglandAvebury Prehistoric Site 

Avebury Prehistoric Site, England

Avebury Prehistoric Site 

Avebury Prehistoric Site, England

Henge at Avebury Prehistoric Site 

Henge at Avebury Prehistoric Site, England

The entire 1500 acre site is now owned by England's National Trust and is thus preserved for posterity.

Avebury is 24 miles north of Stonehenge and 30 miles north of Salisbury.

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