One of Britain’s oldest ritual sites is in danger of being overrun by plants.
Castilly Henge dates back over 5,000 years before recorded history.
It is made up of a substantial oval earthwork, with an external bank and internal ditch, which would have formed an amphitheatre-like setting for gatherings and ritual activities.
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But authorities say it is at risk from neglect and nearby developments.
Now an appeal has been launched to try and save the site just off the A30 near Bodmin, Cornwall, as reported by What’s The Jam.
Cornwall Heritage Trust said the scheduled monument, described as Cornwall’s ancient sacred heart, was at risk due to the threat posed by invasive vegetation.
It said modern development of the nearby road infrastructure and local service network, which lie within meters of the site, also posed potential risks.
The charity also said the henge was currently inaccessible to the public.
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Trust CEO Cathy Woolcock said: “The henge has been at risk for some time – a threat which urgently needs to be addressed before this special place and the secrets it holds are potentially lost.”
She said the charity had been protecting historic landscapes and monuments across Cornwall for the last 40 years.
She said: “We have a strong track record of giving these special places the archaeological and land management expertise they need and have helped save a number from the Heritage at Risk Register.
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“We hope to be able to do the same for Castilly Henge.”
The trust said recent surveys undertaken by Historic England’s Archaeological Investigation Team discovered traces of a now-removed possible stone circle in the middle of the henge.
A spokesperson added: “Not all henges contain stone circles, and there is only one other known to survive in Cornwall.”
A four-week archaeological excavation is set to take place at the monument in September and October 2025 to target important questions about these findings to understand more about the monument’s character, date and potential later reuse.”
The trust is hoping to raise £50,000 towards the acquisition of Castilly Henge.
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