The future of Avebury, again

Abstract

Stonehenge is a small site (its central stone setting just 30 m across) standing in an open landscape where archaeological concerns can direct land management. Its twin hengesite in a joint World Heritage designation, a little distance away on the south English chalk, is Avebury. It is a larger site, the great stone circle 350 m across. And the prehistory is embedded in the modern village of Avebury.Both the state agency English Heritage and the voluntary association the National Trust own parts of each site. English Heritage is taking the management lead at Stonehenge, the National Trust at Avebury. The Trust has announced the creating of a ‘virtual reality’ show in the Great Barn by the village centre.Knowledge of Avebury archaeology grows: also reported in this issue of ANTIQUITY is a new feature within the great circle first spotted on air photography: pages 639–46.