| P number: | P211066 |
|---|---|
| Old photograph number: | A11409 |
| Caption: | Avebury stone circles, Wiltshire. |
| Description: | Avebury is the largest 'henge' or stone circle in Britain.The standing stones of the Avebury circles, which range from 0.5 m. to 6 m. in height and number over 150 in total, are pale grey, silica-cemented sandstones of Tertiary age commonly known as sarsen stones. The source of the sarsen stone used in the megalithic site at Avebury is believed to be the Marlborough Downs. The stones were formed by the cementation of loose sands in the remnants of the Tertiary succession that once covered the downs. Some of the stones were revealed by weathering but others were probably dug from the succession and transported to Avebury. Sarsen stones are widely used in southern Britain at prehistoric sites including Avebury, Long Kennet and Stonehenge. Although best known as standing stones the sandstones were once extensively quarried on the Marlborough Downs for building stone. However, many standing stones are also believed to have been removed from the prehistoric structures for building purposes in earlier times. |
| Date taken: | Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 GMT 1971 |
| Photographer: | Pulsford, J.M. |
| Copyright statement: | NERC |
| X longitude/easting: | 410500 |
| Y latitude/northing: | 169500 |
| Coordinate reference system, ESPG code: | 27700 (OSGB 1936 / British National Grid) |
| Orientation: | Landscape |
| Size: | 303.42 KB; 1000 x 791 pixels; 85 x 67 mm (print at 300 DPI); 265 x 209 mm (screen at 96 DPI); |
| Average Rating: | Not yet rated |
| Categories: | Unsorted Images, Geoscience subjects/ Landforms, weathering/ Relict boulders and deposits, sarsens |
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