 The Sanctuary
is part of a wider Neolithic landscape which includes the nearby sites of Silbury Hill, West Kennet Long Barrow, and Avebury Stone Circle to which it was linked by the West Kennet Avenue. It also lies close to the route of the prehistoric Ridgeway and near several Bronze Age barrows.
Begun in about 3000 B.C., the Sanctuary was originally a complex circular arrangement of timber posts, which were later replaced by stones. These components are now indicated by concrete slabs. Its function remains a mystery: possibly it enshrined the dwelling place of some revered person, and certainly huge numbers of human bones were found here, accompanied by food remains suggesting elaborate death rites and ceremonies. Later, West Kennet Avenue was constructed to connect it with newly-built Avebury, reinforcing the status of this enigmatic but clearly very important site.
About the The Sanctuary Near Avebury
Avebury Web: The Sanctuary
Megalithic Portal: The Sanctuary
Modern Antiquarian: The Sanctuary
Wikipedia: The Sanctuary
Journey to the The Sanctuary Near Avebury
The Sanctuary is located alongside the A4 on Overton Hill near Avebury in Wiltshire in southwest England.
Ordnance Survey Map (SU1170167954)
Visitors Information
Visitors information for the The Sanctuary may be found at the English Heritage website. For general tourism information for Wiltshire, see the Visit Wiltshire website.
Additional Photos of the the The Sanctuary Near Avebury
Sign for The Sanctuary
Approaching The Sanctuary
Descriptive Sign for The Sanctuary
Descriptive Sign for The Sanctuary
Red Circular Blocks Marking Positions of Wooden Posts, The Sanctuary
Blue Rectangular Blocks Marking Positions of Stones, The Sanctuary
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