Local MP Tessa Munt visited the ancient landscape of Neolithic Priddy this week and saw for herself the extensive damage caused to the precious Priddy Circles.
Thought to be earlier than Stonehenge, the rare circular earthworks, which are best viewed from the air, are considered to be one of the most important prehistoric monuments in Somerset. A large part of one of the series of four Neolithic henge monuments has been razed to the ground, the area levelled and reseeded with grass. English Heritage and Somerset County Council are investigating.
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.”
Tessa is keeping a close watch on the situation and will be lobbying English Heritage and Somerset County Council to ensure that action is taken.
Source:
http://www.tessamunt.org.uk/2011/07/13/tessa-munt-mp-appalled-by-the-desecration-of-the-priddy-circles/#comment-191
Something is not right. This message is just to keep things from messing up down the road