Slashdot Mirror

Nope, we even have central vacuum cleaners that throw the air outside.

Just like Eltham Palace then?

http://www.english-heritage.or...

(search for vacuum)

I did not describe a dyke and rampart structure. I described a U shape in the ground - no rampart at all. From what I read on the subject the latest from Durrington Walls was that, being a henge enclosure (area > 300m in diameter) and finding neolithic floors, they believe it to have been a village. Based on what they found they believed there to have been as many as 1000 small structures. As to the gateways, I don't believe these henges were designed to be perfect defences - rather a way to make it easier to defend a village. You'd force the enemy to engage you at a "gateway" or be at a disadvantage dealing with the henge. Without the henge an attacker could come from any direction with ease. Placing the "gateway" towards the river would have made it that much more difficult to mount an assault since you'd have to either cross the river to attack it directly or come at the village from another direction and then turn into the "gateway". With regards to the post holes, that is at the Woodhenge site (or South Circle if you prefer) and they have a fairly good understanding of what it likely looked like: https://www.english-heritage.o...

Incidentally, 5000 would have been the largest city in Britain at the time, and quite likely in the whole of Europe. A typical settlement of Neolithic times would have been dozens to around a hundred.

I agree that's a high estimate. Though it being a large town/city does fit with the current theory on Stonehenge, that it was built as a place to unify the tribes of Britain and therefore would have been a place to draw people/have commerce/etc. like modern capitols do.

Sites identified as being likely to contain the remains of a vessel or its contents which are of historical, artistic or archaeological importance can be designated under Section 1 of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/maritime/ http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/listing/protected-wreck-sites/ with a Map of The Designated Sites in UK http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/maritime/map/. English Hereitage are having a push on pre 1840 wrecks http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/pre-1840-shipwrecks/

Sites identified as being likely to contain the remains of a vessel or its contents which are of historical, artistic or archaeological importance can be designated under Section 1 of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/maritime/ http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/listing/protected-wreck-sites/ with a Map of The Designated Sites in UK http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/maritime/map/. English Hereitage are having a push on pre 1840 wrecks http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/pre-1840-shipwrecks/

Sites identified as being likely to contain the remains of a vessel or its contents which are of historical, artistic or archaeological importance can be designated under Section 1 of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/maritime/ http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/listing/protected-wreck-sites/ with a Map of The Designated Sites in UK http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/maritime/map/. English Hereitage are having a push on pre 1840 wrecks http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/pre-1840-shipwrecks/

Sites identified as being likely to contain the remains of a vessel or its contents which are of historical, artistic or archaeological importance can be designated under Section 1 of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/maritime/ http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/listing/protected-wreck-sites/ with a Map of The Designated Sites in UK http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/discover/maritime/map/. English Hereitage are having a push on pre 1840 wrecks http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news/pre-1840-shipwrecks/

The Act seems to apply to this case exactly. I wish Parliament published comments along with the Acts so we have an easier time judging legislative intent. I would imagine they're trying to facilitate English Heritage becoming more financially independent - 2008 they received 132mil from the government which was 2/3 of their operating budget. I suppose todays announcement that Culture, Media and Sport is taking a 24% cut over the next few years has them rather spooked.

That being said, why doesn't it make sense that they want to control the commercial exploitation of their properties? The British public pays to maintain these sites, and an awful lot of money at that, so why should some company be allowed to step in and enjoy the benefits of the public's investment? As long as they aren't charging then it seems English Heritage doesn't mind - seems fair.

maybe even hire a car, you can make a timely visit to Charles Darwin's house in Kent

Or don't bother hiring a car -- just give me a call to make sure I'm free, then come to Pett's Wood station (half an hour from Charing Cross on a commuter line) and I'll give you a lift! I'm not sure that it would be worth hiring a car for, it only takes an hour or so to see it, although if the weather's good then walking around the grounds can be pleasant.

London is good for all the fancy museums, but get out of town - go to the Midlands and see some old stonework, like Kenilworth or Warwick castle. Have a wander round the tourist trail in Stratford or the Tolkein Trail, or just anywhere in the midlands

Depending on your scope of geekiness, there are plenty of scientifically historical places to visit. If you can spare the time to venture out of London, maybe even hire a car, you can make a timely visit to Charles Darwin's house in Kent, or of course Stonehenge.

Depending on your scope of geekiness, there are plenty of scientifically historical places to visit. If you can spare the time to venture out of London, maybe even hire a car, you can make a timely visit to Charles Darwin's house in Kent, or of course Stonehenge.

We had the middle ages. Europe was warmer, you could grow wine in regions you can't now.

Yes. I live in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, UK and in the Middle Ages, there was a large vineyard at Hailes Abbey just two miles from my house. Hopefully there will be again in my lifetime!

Whitby Abbey and several other English Heritage sites that kind of audio tour.

However this device was too complex for my Gran (she can use a telephone ... omg can she use a telephone..... talk.....talk..........), but she couldn't get this gadget thing to work for her. And Partially sighted / blind visitors would have difficulty with the number on sign interface.

A device that knows where you are and can thus be set up to just play when you are in the right place is a much better idea (a great idea). (It can obviously do much cleverer things too).

Also One of the major let downs with such places is often the fixed schedule of audio/visual presentations (I always walk in just about half way through.. too late to have a clue what its on about to early to stand about for the next one) If you are carrying your own media player then there is no need to wait for a simple information film.

The GPS is of course great but does it also have a digital compass so it can tell which way you are looking (just to mke it idiot proof).

Whitby Abbey and several other English Heritage sites that kind of audio tour.

However this device was too complex for my Gran (she can use a telephone ... omg can she use a telephone..... talk.....talk..........), but she couldn't get this gadget thing to work for her. And Partially sighted / blind visitors would have difficulty with the number on sign interface.

A device that knows where you are and can thus be set up to just play when you are in the right place is a much better idea (a great idea). (It can obviously do much cleverer things too).

Also One of the major let downs with such places is often the fixed schedule of audio/visual presentations (I always walk in just about half way through.. too late to have a clue what its on about to early to stand about for the next one) If you are carrying your own media player then there is no need to wait for a simple information film.

The GPS is of course great but does it also have a digital compass so it can tell which way you are looking (just to mke it idiot proof).

You can walk around inside the monument, if you make reservations .

I did this with some friends, and we got some AMAZING photos of the monument with the sun rising through it. Of course, we had to sign a release, stating that we would not publicly reproduce the photos due to copyright ownership, but that's another topic.

What is definitely cool is that after it snows, the so-called "Avenue" is revealed. Here's one link: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/filestore/stone hengeinteractivemap/timetravel.html

Given that claims have been made in recent years that stonehenge itself was almost completely rebuilt in the 20th century (based on evidence like constables paintings and contemporary photos), I don't understand why anyone would get their backup about a reproduction being made. (Granted there were many counter claims) [Personally I'd be interested in seeing even the techniques used even in 1902 reemployed in NZ]

Quite a while...