English Heritage Acquire ‘Stonehenge Of The North’
Historic England, the body who acts as the government’s heritage advisor, has been gifted three ancient monuments by the sustainable building materials and construction firm Tarmac. The site, known as the Thornborugh Henges near Ripon in North Yorkshire, is thought to date from the late neolithic or early bronze age.
The henges are formed from three huge circular earthworks each over 200 metres in diameter, and are comparable with other ancient monuments such as Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain and the Avebury standing stones. Two of the henges were placed on Historic England’s heritage at risk register in 2009 due to livestock erosion.
Historic England will now work towards removing them from the register, and will develop a visitor programme to make the site freely accessible to the public. Like other ancient monuments, the henges are thought to have had a ritualistic significance for ancient people, but historians can’t say for certain what the exact purpose was.
Joe Savage, a senior interpretation manager at English Heritage, told The Guardian: “They would have been quite visible monuments and epic. Who knows how they were used, but if you’re standing in the middle of them and you looked around, all you would have been able to see is the sky and this incredible vast wall of white surrounding you.”
He added: “When you walk between them you are walking in the footsteps of people 5,000 years ago. You’re taking the same route, experiencing the same skies. There is something that grounds you in deep history when you’re in the spaces.”
The Thornborough Henges are comparatively obscure compared to other sites of significant historical importance in the UK, and it is hoped now they will become better known.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose Richmond constituency encompasses the henge site, commented: The Thornborough Henges site has enormous potential to help tell the story of ancient Britain and I very much welcome this announcement about its future – its safeguarding and preservation for the nation.
“Comparatively few people are aware of its significance – both locally and nationally. I hope many more will come to appreciate this little-known gem of our history and while doing so provide a welcome boost to the local visitor economy.”
Duncan Wilson, Historic England chief executive, said:
“Thornborough Henges and their surrounding landscape form part of the most important concentration of Neolithic monuments in the North of England. We are thrilled to have acquired this highly significant site for the nation and are grateful to the team at Womble Bond Dickinson for advising us on this acquisition.”
Kate Mavor, the chief executive of English Heritage, commented: “Thornborough Henges is one of the most important ancient sites in Britain and yet almost completely unknown. We are looking forward to sharing its significance, its stories and its secrets with the public.”
The Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson have overseen the transaction of the site from the ownership of Tarmac to Historic England. The law firm has an established track record of working alongside the heritage sector. Historic England’s other major sites include Hadrian’s Wall, Iron Bridge, and Stonehenge.
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