Avebury Henge
Aerial View
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Aerial view of Avebury from the east. The bank and ditch that encloses Avebury Henge and Avebury village was first constructed around 2500 BC. With an enclosed area of 28.5 acres (11.5 ha), the henge is the third largest in Britain. (The stone circle itself is the largest.) The bank was once higher than it is today (up to 18 feet) and had a gleaming white chalk surface that is now mostly covered with grass.
The massive standing stones are so impressive that it is easy to overlook the immense work this project would have required as well. It is believed that permanent teams were employed to construct the bank and ditch, using antler picks and rakes, ox-shoulder blades and wooden shovels and baskets.
Aerial photo © JJ Evendon for the Megalithic Portal.