25th June 2010, 07:10 PM
Some sites are iconic and unique hence World Heritage Status
They become a focal point for a wide variety of visitors with equally ranging agendas. They could be left for free access but the number of uncontrolled visitors leads to destruction whether through thoughtless behaviour or just physical numbers and in some cases clashes of interests between different groups of visitors.
Such sites have to be managed so that the site survives and the visitors get the best experience in the circumstances.
The alternative is to restrict access & build a replica (cave art sites in Europe).
I wonder would a henge theme park somewhere else in the county draw in the visitors? There are modern “henges” all over the world using a wide variety of materials and imagination. Would it be cheaper to build a full sized replica of Stonehenge at is most visually impressive stage? Included in that could be some real hands on experimental archaeology. It could even be built under the spiritual guidance of modern pagans.:face-thinks:
I am not being totally frivolous as a considerable number of visitors to historic sites are only looking for an interesting day out in the open air.
They become a focal point for a wide variety of visitors with equally ranging agendas. They could be left for free access but the number of uncontrolled visitors leads to destruction whether through thoughtless behaviour or just physical numbers and in some cases clashes of interests between different groups of visitors.
Such sites have to be managed so that the site survives and the visitors get the best experience in the circumstances.
The alternative is to restrict access & build a replica (cave art sites in Europe).
I wonder would a henge theme park somewhere else in the county draw in the visitors? There are modern “henges” all over the world using a wide variety of materials and imagination. Would it be cheaper to build a full sized replica of Stonehenge at is most visually impressive stage? Included in that could be some real hands on experimental archaeology. It could even be built under the spiritual guidance of modern pagans.:face-thinks:
I am not being totally frivolous as a considerable number of visitors to historic sites are only looking for an interesting day out in the open air.