Is Stonehenge a World Heritage Site?

In 2016 Stonehenge celebrated its 30th year as a World Heritage site – in 1986, together with Avebury, it was one of the very first sites in the UK to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Why is Stonehenge a World Heritage Site?

Stonehenge and Avebury gained their place on the World Heritage Site list for their outstanding prehistoric monuments dating back over 5000 years to the Neolithic and Bronze Age. Stonehenge is the most famous and sophisticated prehistoric stone circle in the world.

Why is Stonehenge not a World Heritage Site?

Unesco has confirmed that Stonehenge could be stripped of its world heritage site status, over its concern that a road tunnel, backed by the government, would irreversibly damage an area of “outstanding universal value”.

Is Stonehenge losing its world heritage status?

UK cultural landmarks such as Stonehenge could be stripped of their coveted world heritage status unless the government curbs “ill-advised development” and protects historic sites for future generations, a Unesco chief has warned.

When did Stonehenge fall down?

3 January 1797
The first recorded fall of stones at Stonehenge was on 3 January 1797 when an entire trilithon collapsed. On 31 December 1900, the last day of the 19th century, another stone fell. This collapse affected attitudes and moved Stonehenge in people’s minds from ruin to national treasure.

Can I touch Stonehenge?

Stonehenge is protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaelogical Areas Act and you must adhere to the regulations outlined in the act or face criminal prosecution. No person may touch, lean against, stand on or climb the stones, or disturb the ground in any way.

Is Stonehenge on private land?

It has not always been in public ownership, in fact for most of the last 1,000 years it has been in private hands[i], the property of the owner of the land on which it stands.

Is Stonehenge in danger?

Now, the United Nations’ heritage agency has confirmed that Stonehenge will indeed be added to its Heritage in Danger list and then potentially stripped of its World Heritage Site status if a roughly $2.3 billion highway tunnel near the archaeological icon is permitted to be built as planned.

Why are they building a tunnel under Stonehenge?

Highways England wants to build a tunnel near Stonehenge as part of a £1.7bn project to improve traffic flows along the A303 in Wiltshire. It is the most direct route for motorists travelling between the South East and South West and is used by thousands of people every day.