Avebury
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The massive henge with its deep ditch and bank may once have held as many as 600 stones.
Over the years many have been destroyed. Only 76 remain today. And a further 20 have been located, but are still buried.
But the standing stones are not the only prehistoric monuments in Avebury.
Nearby Silbury Hill is the largest man-made mound in pre-industrial Europe. And the long barrows at East and West Kennet add to the significance of the site, as do the recent discoveries of two massive palisades.
Hundreds of standing stones can be found on Fyfield Down towards the north-east and Oldbury Castle, a 2500-year-old hillfort, lies three miles away across the A4.
Clearly, Avebury has been a focus for people's spiritual lives over many millennia.
The Avebury Henge and Avenues
From the air, Avebury looks very much like a four-spoked wheel, a massive circle of almost a mile in circumference, with an entrance at each major compass point.Around the outside of the circle once stood 98 large sarsen stones.
Two smaller stone circles, one of 27 and one of 29 stones, are found within the henge.
In fact, the Avebury henge is so large, that the famous stone circle of Stonehenge would fit inside it about 130 times!
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It has been estimated that the ditch was about 30 feet deep and was dug out of the underlying chalk using antlers for pick axes and ox shoulder blades for shovels. And once piled up, the excavated soil would have produced a 55 feet high bank.
Now imagine the whole in brilliant white chalk against the undulating landscape of mainly green and tan. The effect of this edifice must have been mind-boggling.
Construction began around 3000 BC when the Cove and the Sanctuary were built, while the avenues were added later.
Once lined with numerous pairs of tall standing stones, one of the avenues has almost disappeared, while the other, the West Kennet Avenue, is one of the most impressive features of the site. For almost two miles you can follow the stones from the south entrance of the henge to the small circle called "The Sanctuary".
In recent years, further geophysical and archaeological surveys have been carried out in the area.
Palisades have been found between the henge and the sanctuary.
Additional features have been discovered within the henge and await excavation, and it is thought that most of the Sarsen stones of the outer ring have remained - buried - in the circle and could one day be restored to their rightful positions.
We may have no idea at present why these enormous ceremonial sites around Avebury were built and how they were used, but the more we learn, the more chance we have to understand this enduring mystery.
For reviews, comments or just to find out more about Avebury, stone circles and other prehistoric sites in England visit our dedicated
Prehistoric England Bookshop
or check out the following pages:
Prehistoric England
Stonehenge
Merrivale
Grimspound
Want more time exploring prehistoric mysteries?
The ancient county of Wiltshire has no shortage of tiny picturesque villages with guest houses and holiday cottages, just enticing you to linger as you drive by.
Neither does Wiltshire have a shortage of historical places to visit, with Stonehenge, Castle Combe, Salisbury and Lacock Abbey all close by.
Experience English history at its finest by staying in this beautiful, secluded chocolate box cottage that dates to 1660 and is only a short drive from the famous stones.
Or explore other holiday cottages in Wiltshire and turn your exploration into a wonderful holiday!
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