Marden Henge

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Marden Henge is the largest Neolithic henge enclosure discovered to date in the United Kingdom.[1] The monument is located in Marden, Wiltshire, situated within the Vale of Pewsey between the World Heritage sites of Avebury and Stonehenge.[2] Roughly oval in shape, it is enclosed by a typical bank and internal ditch arrangement constructed on the east, north and north-west sides and by the River Avon to the south and west.[3][4]

Encompassing an area of 14 hectares (35 acres) and under the care of English Heritage, antiquarian accounts of the site describe a huge mound within the enclosure called Hatfield Barrow, which collapsed after excavation by William Cunnington in the early 19th century. Today, Marden Henge has been damaged by ploughing, and no longer has any standing stones.

The site was excavated by Geoff Wainwight in 1969. He excavated the North entrance, and found a timber circle, and Grooved Ware pottery, similar to Durrington Walls. The finds are at Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes, where there is also a small display.

In 2010, the henge and surrounding area were investigated through aerial, geophysical, and field survey.[5] During the dig, a Neolithic building was discovered, described as the best preserved Neolithic building in England. [6]

References

Citations
  1. ↑ Dyer, 2001. p. 191.
  2. ↑ Leary & Field, 2010. p. 10.
  3. ↑ Dyer, 2001. p. 191.
  4. ↑ Castleden, 1992. p. 219.
  5. ↑ "Work starts on prehistoric Marden Henge in Wiltshire". BBC News. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010. 
  6. ↑ "Marden Henge dig uncovers 4,500-year-old dwelling". BBC News. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010. 
Bibliography
  • Castleden, Rodney (1992). Neolithic Britain: New Stone Age Sites of England, Scotland, and Wales. London: Routledge. ISBN 9780415058452. 
  • Dyer, James (1 May 2001). Discovering Prehistoric England (2nd ed.). Princes Risborough: Shire Publications. ISBN 9780747805076. 
  • Leary, Jim; Field, David (2010). "Recent work at Marden Henge, Wiltshire". Research News (English Heritage) (15). ISSN 1750-2446. 

External links

Coordinates: 51°19′41″N 1°52′23″W / 51.328°N 1.873°W / 51.328; -1.873

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