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*The Avebury Complex*
The stone circle and henge that surrounds the village of Avebury, is
only one in a series of monuments concentrated in this small area. The
site is a remnant of a ritual Neolithic landscape, which still survives
although degraded with time and the actions of over zealous groups in
past centuries. What remains of the circle now is only a small
proportion of what must have been an awe-inspiring place when it was in
use over 4000 years ago

*Brief History*
The stone circle is thought to date from around 2600BC, although the
proper chronology of the site is not completely understood by
archaeologists. The earliest focus of ritual activity in the area was at
nearby Windmill Hill around 3700BC, at this time the first stages of
West Kennet Long Barrow( <westken.html>) were also begun.

It is thought that the two inner circles at Avebury were completed
first, around 2600BC. The outer ring and henge (The ditch of which was
originally 10 metres deep) was started around 2500BC, completed entirely
with antler picks and stone tools. The actual stones where quarried from
the Marlborough Downs and transported overland, probably on wooden
rollers. This must have been a monumental task as some of the stones
within the circle are over 40 tonnes, almost twice as heavy as those at
nearby Stonehenge, although not as well finished and shaped. There were
originally around 100 of these stones although only 27 remain, the
missing stones marked by concrete posts.

There was a phase of destruction at the site in the 14th century, when
many of the stones were buried, and again in the 17th and 18th century,
when the stones where broken up with fire and hammers. This was mainly
in response to puritanical thought and for private ventures.

*Ancient Astronomy*

As far as I know there has been no real attempt to measure any
alignments within the stone circle itself, and it may now be impossible
because so many stones are missing and in different positions after
re-erection. Paul Devereux believes that the whole Avebury area and the
structures within it are orientated in special relationship to Silbury
Hill (click <silbury.html> for more info on Silbury). More can be
gleaned from his books listed in the bibliography section.

See also West Kennet Long Barrow, which is situated nearby