Prehistoric Stonehenge is undoubtedly the most famous of the neolithic monuments in Britain, but it is not the only one in the rural county of Wiltshire. Ancient circles of stones, burial mounds and chamber tombs referred to as henges and barrows are among the extraordinary sights. Experts indicate that the fascinating remnants of Stone Age structures in Southwest Britain predate the use of the wheel. The Stone Age covered a period of more than 3 million years, ending in approximately 3000 B.C., when the Bronze Age ushered in the development of writing as a skill.
The drama and intrigue provoked by Stonehenge remain a mystery. It is a collection of massive upright and horizontal stones quarried 150 miles away, in Wales, and transported to the site without the benefit of wheels some 5,000 years ago. While more than 1 million visitors flock to Stonehenge every year, experts continue to disagree about who built it, how they built it and why. It is alternatively thought to have been a temple, a royal cemetery, a seasonal clock, a place for healing or a religious center. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is managed by the National Trust, part of English Heritage, and is considered one of the wonders of the world. Located 90 miles west of London, near Salisbury in Wiltshire, visits to Stonehenge are pre-booked. Access to the inner circle of the monolith is by application, as only 26 people are allowed to access the center for one hour per group.
Located 16 miles from Stonehenge, Avebury is spread over 28 acres of grassy fields surrounding the village. Three ancient circles of giant standing stones lack the horizontal lintels seen at Stonehenge, but is the largest stone circle in Europe, measuring 1,400 feet in diameter. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Heritage Site which is thought to predate Stonehenge, Avebury is part of the wider prehistoric landscape of Wiltshire. Similar to Stonehenge, theories abound as to the original purpose of the Avebury monument. Unlike at Stonehenge, visitors can walk up to the stones and touch them, adding a great deal to the experience. Named for the archeologist who is credited with the 20th-century Avebury unearthing, the Alexander Keiller Museum contains interpretive materials for children.
A grass-covered mound near Avebury built around 2400 B.C. is known as Silbury Hill, and is considered an important part of the manmade prehistoric landscape that was constructed along the valley of the River Kennet. At nearly 100 feet tall and 525 feet wide, it is the largest man-made hill in Europe. While its original purpose is not known, it's not thought to have been a burial mound. Silbury Hill can be viewed and photographed from many angles. However, as a site of special scientific subject to erosion by weather and human activity, there is no access to the hill itself.
West Kennet Long Barrow and The Sanctuary are two free and accessible sites that complement one another as parts of the Avebury World Heritage Site. The long barrow is an ancient burial chamber dating back to 3650 B.C. Three large stones mark the entrance to the tomb, where evidence indicates 46 individuals were buried or cremated with jewelry and other belongings. Excavated in the 1950s, it is possible to walk along the top of the chambers and enter the passages. The Sanctuary also dates from the 4th millennium B.C. A circle of concrete stones indicate an important burial place, partially interpreted by the discovery of a large number of human remains.
