Flag Fen's Director of
Archaeology Dr. Francis Pryor told me that Seahenge is at Flag Fen for three purposes.
Clearly there are minerals and marine life inside the timbers -
these have to be assessed and dealt with to stop further erosion.
Carbon dating will continue to establish the age of every timber
and there will be further investigation of the markings to see if anything more can be
learned about the methods of building. There is one odd shaped timber which suggests
that there might have been a doorway into the circle, although it is still too early to be
definite about this.
There are no conservators at English Heritage who yet know how to
preserve these timbers in the long term. Experts from the Mary Rose are at Flag Fen
helping with the assessment. 'Freeze dry' is a method being considered and wax
covering. Once again, it is too early to be certain of the eventual preservation
method. This decision will be made by the Ancient Monuments Laboratory of English
Heritage.
Timber conservation expert Maisie Taylor of Flag Fen was
concerned about the controversy surrounding the removal of the monument.
She referred to the scientific research done by the Newcastle
University into erosion on the east coast of England. The results of this research
were instrumental in making the decision to remove the seahenge for preservation.
Their initial investigation had confirmed the immediate danger of
damage to the monument.
New scouring on the
central root, she said, was proof of damage the sea and sand had inflicted.
Maisie Taylor, seen on the right, is
showing me the scouring on the root.
Click on thumbnail above to see enlargement of the scouring
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