Avebury Stone Circle is an important Neolithic site in Wiltshire and is a World Heritage Site. The Avebury monument is vast, and consists of several smaller sites of varying dates. The earliest of these, the earthworks, date to between 3400 and 2625 BC. Later additions include a henge and several stone circles. Avebury stone circles are thought to have been constructed in Neolithic times between 2500 to 2000 BC. The Beaker people, so called after their pottery, are thought to have played a major role in their formation, as they did with Stonehenge. Avebury is more than just a stone circle, although a circle is its main feature. There is also a rampart, a ditch and two mysterious avenues. In the 1930's, the pretty village of Avebury, partially surrounded by the stone circle, was witness to the excavations of archaeologist, Alexander Keiller, supported by Professor Stuart Piggott. Keiller lived in the Avebury Manor House and opened a museum in its old stables building in 1938. In re-erecting many of the stones, Keiller uncovered the true wonder of one of the most important megalithic monuments in Europe. One can see his fascinating finds on display in the museum, still housed in the stables, and also in the 17th-century threshing barn, where interactive displays, as well as activities for children, bring the landscape to life. In 1943, the British government took possession of the monument and the village and they are currently administered by the National Trust.

© 2011 All Rights Reserved

Avebury Stone Circle is an important Neolithic site in Wiltshire and is a World Heritage Site. The Avebury monument is vast, and consists of several smaller sites of varying dates. The earliest of these, the earthworks, date to between 3400 and 2625 BC. Later additions include a henge and several stone circles. Avebury stone circles are thought to have been constructed in Neolithic times between 2500 to 2000 BC. The Beaker people, so called after their pottery, are thought to have played a major role in their formation, as they did with Stonehenge. Avebury is more than just a stone circle, although a circle is its main feature. There is also a rampart, a ditch and two mysterious avenues. In the 1930's, the pretty village of Avebury, partially surrounded by the stone circle, was witness to the excavations of archaeologist, Alexander Keiller, supported by Professor Stuart Piggott. Keiller lived in the Avebury Manor House and opened a museum in its old stables building in 1938. In re-erecting many of the stones, Keiller uncovered the true wonder of one of the most important megalithic monuments in Europe. One can see his fascinating finds on display in the museum, still housed in the stables, and also in the 17th-century threshing barn, where interactive displays, as well as activities for children, bring the landscape to life. In 1943, the British government took possession of the monument and the village and they are currently administered by the National Trust.

© 2011 All Rights Reserved