- guardian.co.uk, Tuesday April 17 2001 02.12 BST
Many archaeologists now believe the circle, which appeared at low tide on the beach at Holme-next-the-Sea in Norfolk in a storm two years ago, should never have been excavated. If no money can be found for permanent display the timbers will be reburied, near their original site.
English Heritage believes burial will preserve the timbers, possibly for another generation with more money to spare for one of the most evocative ancient monuments ever found.
However, some scientists, including Mark Jones, Cambridge professor of archaeological science, believe burial will destroy the monument. He is convinced that the timbers will decay rapidly if buried.
The Timber Circle Forum has concluded that permanent display is impractical and too expensive, and that the timbers should be buried. An English Heritage spokeswoman said the decision will soon be taken by the commissioners, probably next month.
Rosemary Cramp, former professor of archaeology at Durham, of Antiquaries, said: "This is a sorry story. If there is now good scientific evidence that burial will destroy the timbers, there must be time to halt the process and consider all the options, including the funding options for permanent display."
Other archaeologists put it more strongly. Mike Pitts, an authority on the history of Stonehenge and Avebury, said: "Archaeologists may be about to turn one of the great ancient discoveries of our time into the greatest archaeological disaster." Local archaeologists and English Heritage agreed that the scouring action of the tide would destroy the timbers.
They were removed amid protests and taken to Flag Fen, outside Peterborough, where Francis Pryor and his wife, Maisie Taylor, have become authorities on ancient waterlogged timber. Dr Pryor said: "My fear is that by the time a decision is taken, they will turn to the timbers and find there is nothing left but a tankful of sludge."
