Science

Ancient platform ‘damaged’ during Stonehenge tunnel work

Archaeologists have accused Highways England of accidentally drilling a considerable hole by way of a 6,000-year-old structure near Stonehenge during preparatory work for a tunnel.

The drilling, which can be presupposed to have taken place at Blick Mead, around miles and a half on the world-famous neolithic ring of stones, has enraged archaeologists, who say engineers have dug a three-metre-deep hole (10ft) using a man-made platform of flint and animal bone.

Highways England have said they may not be aware of any problems for archaeological layers on the website due to their job all of which will discuss with the archaeological team on Thursday, led by David Jacques, a senior research fellow on the University of Buckingham.

Before the drilling incidents, archaeologists were concerned that your construction on the tunnel and also a flyover close to the site can this type of water table to lower, damaging remains preserved in water-logged ground. The Highways Agency opted for monitor water levels in the project.

The 6,000-year-old platform in which a hole have been drilled preserved the hoof prints of an aurochs, giant prehistoric cattle which might be now extinct.

Jacques said: “This is really a travesty. We took great need to excavate this platform plus the aurochs’ hoofprints. We predict hunters considered the bradenton area to become a sacred place before Stonehenge. These monster cows C double the amount sized normal cattle C provided food for 300 people, so were revered.

“It the tunnel goes ahead the lake table will drop and all the organic remains shall be destroyed. It may be we now have footprints here which will function as earliest tangible indications of life at Stonehenge. When the remains aren’t preserved we could not be able to realise why Stonehenge was built.”

Blick Mead is part of the Stonehenge and Avebury Unesco world heritage. A Highways England spokesperson said: “We are not aware of any damage being caused to archaeological layers. We notified Prof David Jacques of the locations individuals water table monitoring, and still have honored guidelines in accomplishing the project. We have now also kept Prof Jacques informed and we will be meeting him on location [on Thursday].

“Our assessments thus far indicate that construction with the scheme could have no significant effects to the Blick Mead area, and we’re undertaking this further hydrogeological investigation.

“The works have already been undertaken inside a highly professional manner, with the archaeologist on location with due care being exercised all the time.”

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