Nine Stones, Winterbourne Abbas

Nine Stones
Shown within Dorset
Location Winterbourne Abbas
Coordinates 50°42′41″N 2°33′11″W / 50.711469°N 2.553019°W / 50.711469; -2.553019
Type Stone circle
History
Periods Neolithic / Bronze Age
Site notes
Ownership English Heritage

The Nine Stones (grid reference SY61079043) is a small prehistoric stone circle just outside the village of Winterbourne Abbas, in Dorset, England.

Description

The Nine Stones are located in small wooded enclosure next to the A35 road, around 1 kilometre west of the village of Winterbourne Abbas in Dorset. The stones are of sarsen or conglomerate and are arranged in a rough circle with an internal diameter of about 8 metres.[1] The stones are mostly quite small and vary from 0.45 cm to 1.5 metres in height. The stones are irregularly spaced, and there is wide a gap on the north side.[1]

History

The circle was recorded by John Aubrey in the 17th century, and then by William Stukeley in the 18th century.[1] Stukeley's drawing of 1723 shows the circle in much the same state as it is at present.[1] John Aubrey mentions another circle about half a mile to the west but this has since been destroyed.[1] Five of the stones were vandalised with white paint in 2007.[2] The site is in the care of English Heritage.[1]

There is a fallen 2 metre standing stone known as the Broad Stone lying beside the road about 1.5 km to the west.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Historic England. "The Nine Stones (453624)". PastScape. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  2. ↑ Fathers group denies attack on monuments, Dorset Echo, 25 October 2007, retrieved 20 November 2013
  3. ↑ Historic England. "The Broad Stone (451206)". PastScape. Retrieved 13 November 2013.

External links

Media related to Nine Stones (Winterbourne Abbas) at Wikimedia Commons

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