| Avebury |
One of the largest ritual centres in Europe. The earthwork was built around 3400 - 2850BC and stone circle was completed between 2800BC - 2400BC. It has been estimated that over 1,500,000 man-hours went into the building of the site.
The steep sided ditch of the henge is two thirds silted up it was originally around thirty feet deep with very steep sides of bare chalk. Human bones have been found in the bottom of the ditch during excavations.
Many of the stone at Avebury seem to alternate between tall pillar like stones and wide diamond or lozenge shapes it has been surmised that this denotes masculine and feminine energies. The tall long pillars masculine and the squat lozenge shapes female for obvious sexual reasons.
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The stone circle suffered many periods of destruction during the 14th century the 17th century and the 19th century.
Folklore
A large stone known as the diamond stone near the Northwest entrance is said to cross over to the other side of the road when the clock strikes midnight. An amazing feat as the stone weighs around forty tonnes.
The Devils Chair is one of the most massive stones within the structure, it sits where the West Kennet Avenue joins the circle. So named because of the natural seat formation in the stone, young women would sit here on May Day eve (Beltane) and make a wish.
There have also been some strange sightings within the circle itself, a woman called Edith Oliver, who was a Wiltshire historian was driving through the stones at twilight when she saw lights and the sound of music which she took to be a fair.
Small figures have also been seen moving among the stones by the light of the moon.
Click  for a more in depth overview: |
| Map ref: SU 103 700 |
| Directions: The stone circle is unmissable from the village which sits within it. |
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