Conservation project begins to repair cracks at Stonehenge
4,500 years of erosion has taken its toll
A conservation project, billed as one of the "most significant" in over 60 years, has begun at Stonehenge to protect the iconic monument.
Erosion and repairs in the 1950s have taken their toll on the lintels - Stonehenge's elevated stones.
Detailed laser scans of every stone at Stonehenge, along with a recent engineers report, revealed the extent of the damage.
Cracks will be repaired, whilst hard concrete used for renovations more than half a century ago will be removed and replaced with more breathable lime mortar.
Scaffolding will also be erected, to enable conservators to reach the top stones.
'The stones will now be able to stand the test of time'
Heather Sebire, English Heritage Senior Curator for Stonehenge, said:
“Stonehenge is unique among stone circles by virtue of its lintels and the special joints used to secure the lintels in place.
"Four and a half thousand years of being buffeted by wind and rain has created cracks and holes in the surface of the stone, and this vital work will protect the features which make Stonehenge so distinctive.
"Thanks to the sophisticated laser scan technology and our regular checks and monitoring, the stones will now be able to stand the test of time – and Salisbury Plain weather – for many more years!"
The conservation work will be carried out by Strachey Conservation, specialist conservators contracted by English Heritage, and will take up to two weeks.
Visitors of the site will be able to see the work in action.
TOUCHING GESTURE TO MARK PROJECT
To mark the significance of the refurbishment, English Heritage has invited Richard Woodman-Bailey - who was eight-years-old when the last major restorations took place.
His father was chief architect and the schoolboy hid a 1958 coin beneath one of the giant sarsens.
Now aged 71, he will return to the stones to place a special commemorative coin - struck at the Royal Mint - beneath a newly repaired lintel.
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Collector Services at The Royal Mint comments:
“We were delighted to invite Richard to The Royal Mint to strike his own coin that will take its place in history.
"In honour of the ancient site, we struck a 2021 dated £2 silver coin featuring Britannia.
"This symbol of Britain first appeared on UK coins 2000 years ago, and has been carried by visitors to Stonehenge for centuries. This is the joy of collecting coins; they tell a story that connects generations".