Avebury, England

This is how I spent my 4th of July this year... being amazing by some very old stones and ditches.

John, our tour guide for the day, insisted we visit Avebury on the way to Stonehenge. I'd never heard of it before but, what the heck. Once we arrive it was not long before the value of John's choice became clear. For Stonehenge is impressive for it's scale, Avebury is even more impressive for it's detail. Avebury, as a Henge monument, was created over 5000 years ago and took more than 100 years to construct. The value of a guide is immeasurable here. The skimpy brochure they provide offers very little insight into the significance of this site. Although I have forgotten most of what John said I'll recall what I do remember. Firstly, the 50ft deep, one mile and a bit in circumference trench all excavated by hand using antlers and ox shoulder blades as shovels. Then there is the outer circle of large (over 10 ft tall) stones and then another center circle of stones. Additionally, there is an kind of passage lined with stones leading into the monument. Without getting more history crazy I'll just add one more thing. This is all built on a ley line, as well as Stonehenge. Look 'em up.