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German Ebay has just introduced new rules on the sale of archaeological artefacts. Anything sold must be accompanied by proper documentation showing the seller's title and proof that it has been properly reported to the authorities.

So when will Ebay UK follow suit? When will the hundreds of thousands of bits of British history be protected from being dug up and sold without trace by people who are too selfish or ignorant or both to acknowledge their duty towards society? We won't hold our breath. Those friends of archaeology and heroes of heritage, the British metal detectorists/Ebay traders absolutely hate the idea (go figure! ) and the authorities, cowed by previous threats of "we won't report anything if you annoy us", are anxious not to upset them.

Shame really. It could be actioned here if there was a will. Far more history would be truly saved by this action than is "saved" by the millions of pounds spent on trying to persuade people to act in a reasonable fashion. Maybe those currently considering the options should bear this in mind....

A story can turn on a stone thrown into a pond , the ripples that it makes forming larger and larger circles and so it is with the saga of a ceremonial event that went very wrong at Castlerigg.

A holistic gathering came together at the circle, a Mayan 'Fire Ceremony' planned event, it would seem that the fire had been meant to happen in a field nearby, sadly this did not happen, and turf was removed from the centre of the circle and a fire lit. Castlerigg Stone Circle is a Scheduled Monument therefore such things as removing turf and lighting fires are illegal, the ceremony was caught on camera and repercussions began to bound round the megalithic world, and I might add, the Pagan world as well who were also outraged at this act of sacrilege at a stone circle.

Acrimonious words, apologising emails, slowly the unravelling story told different aspects, perhaps it is better to let the matter quietly drop, but just to remember that megalithic stones and circles are not just there for the few they are there for everyone, thoughtless acts to sites that have stood for thousands of years deserve our respect and care, they need to be defended.

"ARCHAEOLOGISTS working on excavations for the controversial M3 motorway feared they would be "sacked, blacklisted or bullied out of their profession" for not supporting the building of the chosen route, it was claimed yesterday.

Speaking at a debate on the motorway near Tara at the sixth World Archaeological Congress at UCD, Maggie Ronayne, a lecturer in the department of archaeology at NUI, Galway, said pressure was put on site directors and field teams by archaeologists employed by the National Roads Authority (NRA)."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0704/1215110024070.html

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The following article in Public Archaeology, Summer 2008 is a robust overview on the circumstances and the ethical behaviour of the Irish Government in trashing one of Ireland's most sacred monuments. The ancient landscape around Tara is having a motorway driven right through it, though there is fierce opposition from all sides, the government is determined to push through this road over historically significant archaeological monuments just so 20 minutes can be knocked off commuters' time.

The State We're in on the Eve of World; Archaeological Congress (WAC)6; Archaeology in Ireland vs Corporate Takeover by Maggie Ronayne

http://www.savetara.com/statements/PUA7.2_Ronayne.pdf

Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin of Save Tara says:

"This article is a damning indictment of the practices used by the NRA archaeologists. It confirms all the worst fears of those opposed to this ill-conceived project. How can we trust the NRA archaeological reports and what have they hidden from the public?"

Photos to be found here:

http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u167/muireanntemair/M3%20scar%20240608/

Archaeologists 'used to destroy heritage', conference told...

"ARCHAEOLOGISTS working on excavations for the controversial M3 motorway feared they would be "sacked, blacklisted or bullied out of their profession" for not supporting the building of the chosen route, it was claimed yesterday.

Speaking at a debate on the motorway near Tara at the sixth World Archaeological Congress at UCD, Maggie Ronayne, a lecturer in the department of archaeology at NUI, Galway, said pressure was put on site directors and field teams by archaeologists employed by the National Roads Authority (NRA)."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0704/1215110024070.html

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The public are to be consulted on what happens next at Stonehenge it seems.

"People can give feedback on road proposals near Stonehenge and the location of new visitor facilities."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/7482995.stm

"English Heritage Corporate Communications spokesperson Renee Fok said people needed to have a say because of global interest in the site."

Well what a change! Up to the end of last year English Heritage was hell bent on pushing forward a horrible, damaging scheme in the teeth of total opposition from almost every archaeological and conservation body! No sign that THEIR opinion counted for anything.

Let us be charitable though and hope that English Heritage has changed into a sharing caring organisation that puts the welfare of Stonehenge first and it's own interest second. Soon we'll know.

Remember the Rotherwas Ribbon? The prehistoric feature ("Hereford's Stonehenge" said the County Archaeologist) that Hereford Council wanted to drive a road over last year?

You know. The road the government twice said wasn't needed?

Well, the road has just been completed!

http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/3186371.Hereford_access_road_still_to_open/

Someone will be pleased. And richer.

Not that English Heritage will be bothered either way. Last September they could have saved the Ribbon by scheduling it. But they said "It is not expected that a decision on scheduling will be made in the immediate future."

Hmmm. Well it's safe to schedule it now we suppose...

Incidentally, just to add to the utter shame of this whole murky business, ANOTHER feature has just been discovered near to the Ribbon, further reinforcing what a potentially priceless Bronze Age landscape has been wrecked...

http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/3187790.New_archaeological_discovery_at_Rotherwas/

Angry?

You oughta be!

We hear the process of discussing the replacement Stonehenge Visitors' Centre is about to commence. Well, before it gets complicated here's something that can happen NOW and be hugely beneficial - CLOSE DOWN THE FAST FOOD OUTLET!

This ghastly presence at Stonehenge has got to be the all-time tackiest facet of the Stonehenge experience. Why, even now, is it being allowed? Let's ditch it. It's a national disgrace.

The wider debate on roads and the visitor centre is something else. There is absolutely no good reason why this garish garbage dispensary should be allowed to continue (other than to make money for you-know-who) at a World Heritage Site. Let those who look after the World Heritage Site look after it!

See STONEHENGE: £37M LATER AND BACK TO SQUARE ONE for the full story.