I'm trying to get a load of us to write to the National Geographic asking them to cover this amazing prehistoric site - after all it is Britain's largest
prehistoric ritual site. Maybe you would consider dropping them a note?
The address for National Geographic is as follows:
Letters to the Editor:
National Geographic Magazine
PO Box 98199
Washington DC
20090-8199
or email:
[email protected]
Here is a sample letter, please try and change it to your own words, I'll include some extra bullet points after the letter to help you:
Dear National Geographic,
I have recently found out that Britain's most threatened ancient site, which is also Britain's largest prehistoric ritual site, has yet to be covered by National Geographic.
Thornborough Henges were described recently by English Heritage as "the most important ancient site between Stonehenge and The Orkneys", and a "world class heritage site" and it is therefore a site that will hold great interest for the readership of National Geographic.
In addition, given that there are now TWO quarry companies threatening to quarry Thornborough, and the local authority, North Yorkshire County Council is looking to make the area one preferred for quarrying, I think this is an ideal subject for a National Geographic article given the archaeological and conservation issues raised.
Important/interesting points about Thornborough
1. Thornborough contains Britain's earliest communal ritual structure - its Mesolithic double pit alignment is unique in the world, unfortunately this has been quarried.
2. Thornborough is Britain's lognest lived ancient monument complex; the site was used from the Mesolithic to the end of the Iron Age - more than 4,000 years of continuous use.
3. Thornborough is Britain's largest prehistoric ritual meeting place, it is possibly the largest religious site ever created in Britain.
4. Thornborough's triple henge architecture is very similar to the layout of the Great Pyramids (Orions Belt) and in addition, at least three alignments pointing to Orion have been located by Newcastle University - these alignments predate the pyramids by more than 1,000 years.
5. Thornborough is the central site within a 20 mile monument complex that contains six identical (and huge) henges, plus other cursus, henge and standing stone monuments - each structure being amongst the largest in Britain.
6. Thornborough and the surrouding complex was the location for the largest Neolithic construction project - six identical 240m henges were created in one major building exercise.
7. Thornborough does not just contain three henges, it also has as many as three cursuses (only one is scheduled) and a great many other ritual remains.