Nine Stones of Winterbourne Abbas

Nine Stones
Shown within Dorset
Location Winterbourne Abbas
Coordinates 50°42′41″N 2°33′11″W / 50.711469°N 2.553019°W
Type Stone circle
History
Periods Neolithic / Bronze Age
Site notes
Ownership English Heritage

The Nine Stones (grid reference SY61079043) is a small prehistoric stone circle just outside of the village of Winterbourne Abbas, in Dorset, England.

Description

The Nine Stones are located in small wooded enclosure next to the A35 road, around 1 kilometre west of the village of Winterbourne Abbas in Dorset. The stones are of sarsen or conglomerate and are arranged in a rough circle with an internal diameter of about 8 metres.[1] The stones are mostly quite small and vary from 0.45 cm to 1.5 metres in height. The stones are irregularly spaced, and there is wide a gap on the north side.[1]

History

The circle was recorded by John Aubrey in the 17th century, and then by William Stukeley in the 18th century.[1] Stukeley's drawing of 1723 shows the circle in much the same state as it is at present.[1] John Aubrey mentions another circle about half a mile to the west but this has since been destroyed.[1] Five of the stones were vandalised with white paint in 2007.[2] The site is in the care of English Heritage.[1]

There is a fallen 2 metre standing stone known as the Broad Stone lying beside the road about 1.5 km to the west.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 THE NINE STONES, Pastscape, retrieved 13 November 2013
  2. ↑ Fathers group denies attack on monuments, Dorset Echo, 25 October 2007, retrieved 20 November 2013
  3. ↑ THE BROAD STONE, Pastscape, retrieved 13 November 2013

External links

Media related to Nine Stones (Winterbourne Abbas) at Wikimedia Commons