The Priddy Circles, a series of Neolithic earthworks and a a Scheduled Monument at the village of Priddy, near Wells, in the Mendip Hills, suffered extensive damage after part of the site was bulldozed during the summer.
English Heritage and Somerset County Council launched a joint investigation into the incident, which is punishable under the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act.
The rare circular earthworks are thought to be ritual monuments created during the Stonehenge era, between 2500 and 2180 BC, are considered to be one of the most important prehistoric monuments in Somerset.
 |
| More than a third of the southernmost of the circles has been completely destroyed. |
Tessa said, “It is hard to believe this could have happened to a protected and Scheduled Archaeological Monument in such a spectacular part of the Mendips. Priddy is revered for its ancient locations, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and lies within the protection of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These recent developments show just how fragile and vulnerable these historic sites can be. Clearly, we must tighten legislation to ensure that ancient places like these which have survived unchanged for 5,000 years and more are preserved and protected for future generations. This cannot be allowed to happen again.”
One of the circles was damaged at some point between May 1 and June 23, 2011 which is a criminal offence under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
The damage has been investigated jointly by Avon and Somerset Police and English Heritage. On Monday October 31, 2011, police officers arrested a man on suspicion of criminal damage and causing damage to a scheduled monument. He was taken into custody for interview and he was bailed pending further enquiries.
Sources:
Somerset man arrested over damage to Priddy Circles - BBC News Somerset 31 October 2011
Priddy Circles arrest in damage investigation – Wells People 01 Nov 2011
Photo by Pete Glastonbury.
* * *
0 comments:
Post a Comment