Archaeologists sign letter to unite on Stonehenge tunnel debate

The Department for Transport approved plans for National Highways to build a £1.7bn two-mile-long tunnel near Stonehenge on July 14.

This decision was met with mixed feelings as campaign groups feared the tunnel would "desecrate" the World Heritage Site.

Yet the professionals have been "overwhelmingly absent from the discourse", according to an open letter written on behalf of the UK's archaeological community.

The letter goes on to say that some of the best-informed people on the subject have been unable to comment due to professional obligations.

It adds: "Many major organisations representing UK archaeology have distanced themselves from the heart of this politicised and polarised debate."

An artists impression of the Stonehenge tunnel. (Image: National Highways)

So far 792 verified archaeologists (as of December 22) have signed the letter demanding the debate is re-framed and archaeologists take a "rightful lead".

Claiming the narrative around the tunnel is "skewed towards fringe voices", the letter said practitioners working at contentious sites could be at risk simply by doing their job.

"After years of cuts to the sector, coupled with the politically convenient presentation of archaeology as a barrier to development in planning reform discussions, we simply cannot afford to take another blow.

"Archaeological and, in particular, prehistoric heritage can be profoundly powerful in shaping contemporary identities," the letter goes on to say.

Those who have signed the letter agree that the monument of Stonehenge is not under threat as no construction would take place within or adjacent to it.

But they do believe that the archaeology preserved within the wider landscape setting is at risk. The letter said that any intervention must be undertaken to a "very high standard" under obligations to UNESCO, the Valletta convention and the National Planning Policy Framework.

The letter disagrees with Save Stonehenge World Heritage Site campaign presider Tom Holland's claim that the tunnel would "desecrate" the site, labelling it "inappropriate and counter-productive to a constructive discussion of how heritage is managed and valued in the UK".

"What is needed is a call for a reasoned position of concern and vigilance," it adds.

2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the Council for British Archaeology so the author of the letter believes this is the "perfect time" for the heritage sector to unite in working towards a future where archaeology is valued and well-resourced.

To view the letter, visit openletter.earth/the-stonehenge-debate-must-be-reframed-8a170f58.