Exciting news as North Yorkshire’s prehistoric site known as ‘Stonehenge of the North’ has been reunited once again. The final three of the Thornborough Henges have been acquired by English Heritage, meaning that public access to the site is guaranteed.
According to the charity, this is the first time all three have been united under a single owner in 1,500 years. Located near Ripon, the complex dates back to between 3500BC to 2500BC and is made up of three circular earthworks.
Each measures in at about 820ft (250m) in diameter and is surrounded by an earthwork bank, which could have once stood up to 13ft (4m) high, split by two opposing entrances. The banks would have been covered by mineral gypsum, common to the area, creating a white glow, it is believed.
The northern henge will now join the central and southern henges as part of the National Heritage Collection – and we’ve added the to our list on places we aim to visit this year.
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The positive of them all being under one ownership is that it allows English Heritage to share the full story with its visitors – something we can all agree can only be a positive.
Gerard Lemos CMG CBE, chair of English Heritage, said: “Reuniting the henges like this means that the public is now able to explore all three and re-connect with the people who gathered here 4,500 years ago.”
It’s believe that the henges were probably built as ceremonial or ritual centres and may also have been trading and meeting places, according to Historic England after archaeological finds in the area.
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak is MP for the area and welcomes its preservation saying: “Having recently visited the henges site, I know how truly remarkable the totality of the monument is.”
If you’d like to find out more head over to the website here.
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Feature Image Credit: Historic England
