Post by auntym on Jul 17, 2011 11:47:49 GMT -6
www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/07/2011/neolithic-monument-bulldozed-flat-in-england-provokes-outrage
this man should be fined & put in prison ....
Outrage, as English Neolithic monument bulldozed flat[/color]
The Priddy Circles from the south (2003). Photograph by Pete Glastonbury
Area of the southern circle subjected to bulldozing. (image courtesy of the Megalithic Portal)
Saturday, July 16, 2011 | Featured, News
Reports began to circulate in early June concerning damage to one of a series of four remarkable Neolithic monuments in Somerset, southwest England. However, the scale of the damage to the Priddy Circles is only now being fully appreciated.
A ruined monument
The four Circles are listed together as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and as such are under the protection of the State. Somerset County Council confirmed it was working in conjunction with English Heritage to pursue a resolution for this distressing situation, which arose when the landowner, Mr Penny, allegedly used his earth-moving equipment to bulldoze, flatten and reseed the entire southwestern arc of the southern circle.
Damage to ancient monuments can result in large fines – along with requirements to reinstate or repair – and in extreme circumstances, a prison sentence can be handed out to the perpetrator, under the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act.
The images below show the extent of the damage, which includes the infilling of the geological sink holes along with the internal ditch and the flattening of the bank. As a result approximately one third of the monument has been completely erased.
Images of the southern circle in 2003 and 2011. Photographs by Pete Glastonbury
Past Horizons requested an updated statement from English Heritage concerning any action that they may be taking, but received the same prepared reply first circulated in late June:
“We are aware of damage to the Priddy Circles in Somerset – a series of four large Neolithic henge monuments. We are currently investigating the matter which includes an assessment of the harm caused to the monument, through an archaeological assessment.”
“It is also a criminal offence to carry out works to a scheduled monument without scheduled monument consent from the Secretary of State. It is also a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage a scheduled monument without lawful excuse.”
Tighter legislation required
Local MP Tessa Munt visited the ancient landscape of Neolithic Priddy on the 11th July and saw for herself the extensive damage caused to one of the Circles.
She 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 has confirmed that she is now keeping a close watch on the situation and will be lobbying both English Heritage and Somerset County Council to ensure that appropriate action is taken.
An internationally important monument...
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this man should be fined & put in prison ....
Outrage, as English Neolithic monument bulldozed flat[/color]
The Priddy Circles from the south (2003). Photograph by Pete Glastonbury
Area of the southern circle subjected to bulldozing. (image courtesy of the Megalithic Portal)
Saturday, July 16, 2011 | Featured, News
Reports began to circulate in early June concerning damage to one of a series of four remarkable Neolithic monuments in Somerset, southwest England. However, the scale of the damage to the Priddy Circles is only now being fully appreciated.
A ruined monument
The four Circles are listed together as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and as such are under the protection of the State. Somerset County Council confirmed it was working in conjunction with English Heritage to pursue a resolution for this distressing situation, which arose when the landowner, Mr Penny, allegedly used his earth-moving equipment to bulldoze, flatten and reseed the entire southwestern arc of the southern circle.
Damage to ancient monuments can result in large fines – along with requirements to reinstate or repair – and in extreme circumstances, a prison sentence can be handed out to the perpetrator, under the 1979 Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act.
The images below show the extent of the damage, which includes the infilling of the geological sink holes along with the internal ditch and the flattening of the bank. As a result approximately one third of the monument has been completely erased.
Images of the southern circle in 2003 and 2011. Photographs by Pete Glastonbury
Past Horizons requested an updated statement from English Heritage concerning any action that they may be taking, but received the same prepared reply first circulated in late June:
“We are aware of damage to the Priddy Circles in Somerset – a series of four large Neolithic henge monuments. We are currently investigating the matter which includes an assessment of the harm caused to the monument, through an archaeological assessment.”
“It is also a criminal offence to carry out works to a scheduled monument without scheduled monument consent from the Secretary of State. It is also a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage a scheduled monument without lawful excuse.”
Tighter legislation required
Local MP Tessa Munt visited the ancient landscape of Neolithic Priddy on the 11th July and saw for herself the extensive damage caused to one of the Circles.
She 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 has confirmed that she is now keeping a close watch on the situation and will be lobbying both English Heritage and Somerset County Council to ensure that appropriate action is taken.
An internationally important monument...
CONTINUE READING >> www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/07/2011/neolithic-monument-bulldozed-flat-in-england-provokes-outrage#ixzz1SNxdRLKg
Read the Archaeology News - then buy the Trowel at Past Horizons Tools