An article in The Independent covers the laser-scan survey of the iconic British monument, revealing 72 previously undiscovered carvings, of which 71 show axe-heads and 1 a dagger, all dating to the Bronze Age.
In some ways a rather more interesting discovery is that the giant sarsens that make up the vast circular arrangement of stones were dressed by working parallel to the long sides, whilst the interior horseshoe stones were dressed by working at right-angles to the stones. The suggestion presented in the article is that the difference in dressing techniques may indicate that the horseshoe was constructed at a slightly earlier date to the great circle.
Other revelations are also covered in the article – if you’re interested in Stonehenge and the related Wessex monuments and geography this is well worth a read.
All in all, a good advert for laser-scan surveys.
Also on The Guardian website.
