West Kennet Avenue follows a winding course of 1.5 miles, linking the Avebury Circles with the Sanctuary.
Originally consisting of about 100 pairs of stones, the Avenue followed a sinuous course. The stones were about 15 m (49 ft) apart and there was a span of about 24 m (80 ft) between the pairs. Several had been buried in medieval times, and others had been removed altogether. Of those remaining none were very large, between c1.4 m (5 ft) and 3 m (10 ft) high.*
The dating of the Avenue is probably slightly later than the main henge and circles, probably c 2300BC, although no absolute dating is yet available.*
*From ‘The Prehistoric Monuments of Avebury’ by English Heritage – 1994 edition.
That’s quite old!
The sites and the dating in this area are quite fascinating!
I am curious as to what your opinion is on what they symbolized, Cherie???
I have read quite a bit about the henges and related sites. From my readings I think these avenue stones are a processional/pilgramage route to the Avebury Circles complex.
How far are they from Stonehenge and do you think they are related in any way? Also, how do you think they got them there?
They are about 25 miles apart. They have similar alignments and there are many theories. There are also many theories on how the stones were moved and placed. The simple answer for me is I do not know that is why I keep reading different accounts as they become available.
If I have not flogged this subject to death, I think it also extraordinary given the basic tools/size of men/lack of adequate nutrition at the time, they were able to build something so spectacular and huge as Salisbury cathedral. I sure would love to know how they erected that with no modern-day scaffolding.
There are lots of theories and non of them are completely convincing. The stones still keep their mysteries
Even today the Chinese sometimes erect huge skycrapers using only bamboo and rope scaffolding. Many things puzzle me but how Salisbury cathedral was built is not one of them.
See moderm chinese bamboo scaffolding on: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2290166/Hong-Kongs-ultra-modern-skyscrapers-built-scaffolding-BAMBOO.html
Fascinating, thank you
I have not seen or heard of that before.
And with wooden scaffolding and the simple physics of pulleys and the basic old chemistry of cement and the careful crafting of chisseling Salisbury was raised, and what an awesome feat it was too (and not done quickly either). I have also seen convincing methods, in some cases reconstructed, for Stonehenge to be made. Human ingenuity was and is quite awsome when it has determination and time. Of course we maybe have the aliens to thank for engineering that ingenuity into us…
One thing we can be sure of is that our ancient ancestors were not primitive savages and they knew things that perhaps we have only relatively recently re-discovered.
aha! more evidence of ancient aliens … or at least that’s what the History Channel is telling me
That is one of the theories. Sometimes thoughtfully presented and sometimes presented in a most implausible way
Cherie, What a lovely pastoral scene. Simple, serene, and charming. Mickie
It is a beautiful part of the world, thank you
They do look interesting.
It is an interesting place.
Our steps covering other other steps through the centuries of times. Fascinating!
Yes quite fascinating. I always wonder about the people who passed by before, through the ages.
Oh I’ve been there many, many years ago.
Summer is the best time to see crop circles in Wiltshire too.
I have not seen any crop circles apart from in books!