Seahenge to be reburied in summer
Submitted by Andy B on Wednesday, 04 April 2001 Page Views: 809
Site WatchApril 2, 2001 Norfolk's Bronze Age timber circle is to be reburied near its original site in late June. Archaeologists with Norfolk County Council are proposing a plan of action which will mean the 4000-year-old Seahenge structure being buried at Holme beach, near Hunstanton, from where it was excavated two years ago.The decision to rebury the timbers was made by Norfolk Museums Committee, backed by English Heritage, in October following a public meeting which rejected an idea to have the monument on permanent display.
The report, by Norfolk's head of museums Brian Ayers, says work begins this month on site investigation at Holme, followed by analysis and site selection in May and June and reburial in late June. "Reburial will need to take place within a 'window of opportunity' so as to minimise disruption to wildlife and, for safety reasons, to avoid periods of high visitor numbers," he writes in the report. "The window is June to mid-July and is being pursued actively." Scientists will seek to rebury the timbers in a location most favourable to maximise their potential for survival. Officials believe burying the timbers will ensure they remain stored in the clay.
Discussions surrounding site location have been made in consultation with English Nature and Norfolk Wildlife Trust. The reburial will come two years after the 55 oak posts and central tree stump were excavated and moved to the Flag Fen Bronze Age site at Peterborough for analysis.
Geoff Needham, of Holme Parish Council and an opponent of the original excavation, said the reburial was a case of English Heritage washing its hands of its responsibility for the structure. "I would like to see it back in the ground as it was and let nature take its course. I'm not in favour of it being buried out of sight," he said. Mr Ayers's report will be discussed by King's Lynn and West Norfolk Area Museums Committee tomorrow.
Copyright © 2001 Eastern Counties Newspapers Group Limited.
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