Project launched to reveal the mystery behind the Valley of Stones
Nearly £250,000 of Lottery funding's going into a special project
A community archaeology and heritage project's being launched in West Dorset, to better tell the story of the Valley of Stones.
£249,344 has been given to community interest company Past Participate from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
That'll be going into investigations alongside Natural England, to learn more about human activity at the site and creating new signage to share information with visitors.
Volunteers will be able to get involved in archaeological surveys and excavation, with lectures, guided walk, art and creative writing activities also planned.
The stone would have been used to make stone axe heads over 6,000 years ago, and has been described as 'rarer than Stonehenge'.
Dr Anne Teather, Executive Director of Past Participate, said:
“We are thrilled to have received this support thanks to National Lottery players and are confident the project will engage many more people, both local and holidaymakers, in discovering more about this exceptional local heritage in a beautiful landscape."
Rob Beard, Reserve Manager Natural England said:
“We are really excited to be working with Historic England and Past Participate to find out more about how people have lived in, worked and shaped the historic landscape at the Valley of Stones for thousands of years.
"The wealth of earthworks and archaeological remains on the site have a fascinating and complex story to tell and we are really fortunate to have the experts working with us to interpret and understand more fully this special place and the people who made it.”