Straightening out Avebury

Archaeologists began the delicate job yesterday of straightening two huge prehistoric standing stones in Wiltshire that had started to lean at a precarious angle. The stones at Avebury have been fenced off for the past six years after the movement was revealed by comparisons of a 3D computer-generated graphic of the stones in their present state with engravings by William Stukeley, an 18th-century Lincolnshire antiquary.

The comparisons showed that the 16ft coffin-shaped stones, each weighing an estimated 50 tonnes, had developed a list of 15 degrees since Stukeley drew them and were in danger of toppling. Scaffolding was put up around them in preparation for giant jacks to be lowered into place.

Posted by David on April 9, 2003 10:04 AM