Avebury, Neolithic stone circle in Wiltshire, England
Avebury is a stone ring in Wiltshire that consists of a deep ditch, a tall outer bank, and several hundred large stones arranged in multiple circles. The monument covers about thirty-five acres and surrounds fields, paths, and parts of the village that shares its name.
The monument was built roughly between 2850 and 2200 BCE, when people began digging the ditch and hauling the stones from the nearby Marlborough Downs. After the Bronze Age ended, the structure fell into disuse, and during medieval times villagers toppled or buried many of the stones.
The site represents advanced engineering capabilities of Neolithic communities, demonstrating their understanding of geometry through precisely positioned megalithic structures and astronomical alignments.
The site can be entered at any time because public paths run through it and no admission fee is charged. A museum at the edge of the village displays finds from the area and explains the excavation work of recent decades.
Some stones carry small pits created by people who tried to break up the large blocks using hammers and fire. These marks show how difficult it was to damage or remove the hard rock.
Location: Avebury
Part of: Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites
Address: Avebury, Marlborough SN8 1RE, UK
Website: https://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/avebury
GPS coordinates: 51.42861,-1.85417
Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:05
These archaeological sites document the development of human civilizations across thousands of years. They range from the earliest known temple structures like Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, dated to around 9500 BCE, to the preserved remains of Pompeii, frozen in time by a volcanic eruption in 79 CE. Each location offers insights into the technical abilities, religious beliefs, and social structures of past cultures. The collection includes monuments such as the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, standing for over 4,500 years, and Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes, a 15th-century Inca stronghold at 7,970 feet (2,430 meters). In China, the Terracotta Army guards the tomb of the first emperor with thousands of life-size soldiers, while Angkor Wat in Cambodia represents the largest religious complex in the world. European sites like Stonehenge in England and the Acropolis in Athens demonstrate prehistoric engineering and classical Greek architecture. These places connect visitors to the societies that built them centuries or millennia ago.
Stone circles stand among humanity's earliest architectural accomplishments, constructed by prehistoric communities across Europe and beyond over thousands of years. These circular arrangements of standing stones served multiple purposes, functioning as astronomical observatories where ancient peoples tracked celestial movements, seasonal changes, and solar events. The monuments also acted as communal gathering spaces for ceremonies, trade, and social activities. The engineering skills required to transport, raise, and position these massive stones—some weighing several tons—reveal the sophisticated organizational capabilities and technical knowledge of Neolithic and Bronze Age societies. This collection spans numerous locations throughout Europe. In England, Stonehenge features precisely arranged upright stones forming a 98-foot (30-meter) circle built between 3000 and 2000 BC, while the Avebury complex measures 1,086 feet (331 meters) across and dates to 2850 BC. Scotland hosts several significant sites, including the Callanish Stones with a central monolith standing 16 feet (4.8 meters) tall, and the Ring of Brodgar, which originally contained 60 stones encircled by a 30-foot (9-meter) wide ditch. The Castlerigg Stone Circle sits surrounded by Lake District peaks, constructed around 3000 BC. Beyond the British Isles, Germany's Goseck Circle demonstrates astronomical alignment dating to 4900 BC, making it one of the oldest known structures of its kind. Ireland's Drombeg Stone Circle uses 17 stones to mark solstice positions. Each site provides insight into how prehistoric communities observed the heavens, marked time, and organized their societies around these enduring monuments.
National Trust Museum
209 m
Church of St James
258 m
United Reformed Chapel
38 m
Carpenter's Cottage
79 m
Red Lion Public House
39 m
High Street Cottages
42 m
Churchyard Cottages
286 m
National Trust Shop
194 m
Garden Gate East Of Avebury Manor
290 m
Dovecote at Avebury Manor
253 m
Stones Restaurant
194 m
Avebury and Associated Monuments
18 m
110-113, High Street
184 m
Manor Farmhouse and Front Garden Railings
151 m
The Lodge
79 m
Perry's Cottage
22 m
Rose Cottage
300 m
K6 Telephone Kiosk, Adjoining The Post Office
114 m
Silbury House
13 m
Eastern Gates To Avebury Manor
223 m
Gates And Gateposts To Driveway To Avebury Manor
205 m
Henge Shop
126 m
Great Barn
211 m
Lychgate
241 m
Ashdown House And Front Railings
270 m
Norris Farm Stable
64 m
The Old Bakery
267 m
West Boundary Wall Of Churchyard
281 mReviews
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