In yet another redundant, gestural protest, two Just Stop Oil activists have targeted the iconic Stonehenge site with orange powder paint. The incident occurred at approximately 12:00 BST on Wednesday, just one day before the historic site near Salisbury, Wiltshire, hosts its annual Summer Solstice celebrations.
The protesters, 21-year-old student Niamh Lynch from Oxford and 73-year-old Rajan Naidu from Birmingham sprayed the powder paint onto the ancient stones. Wiltshire Police swiftly arrested both individuals on suspicion of causing damage to the monument.
Just Stop Oil stated that the orange powder paint was harmless cornflour and would “wash away with rain.” Despite this reassurance, the act has sparked widespread condemnation.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak labelled the incident a “disgraceful act of vandalism,” while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the damage as “outrageous” and criticized Just Stop Oil as “pathetic.” Eyewitnesses reported members of the public shouting “no” and attempting to intervene as the protesters approached the UNESCO World Heritage site.
English Heritage, the organisation responsible for Stonehenge, expressed their dismay. A spokeswoman called the act “extremely upsetting” and confirmed that the site remains open to visitors. Curators are currently assessing the extent of the damage.
Musician Liam Gallagher expressed his disgruntlement with Just Stop Oil protesters who doused the ancient ruins of Stonehenge with orange paint. The former Oasis star turned to social media to share their thoughts on the defacement as he warned, “Don’t f*** with the stones, man; they have mystical powers. Hope they all wake up tomorrow and are all orange toads.”
Just Stop Oil explained that their protest aimed to urge the UK government to end the extraction and burning of fossil fuels by 2030. A spokesperson for the group emphasized the urgency of the climate crisis, stating, “Continuing to burn coal, oil, and gas will result in the death of millions. We have to come together to defend humanity or we risk everything.”
Renowned archaeologist Mike Pitts, author of “How to Build Stonehenge,” expressed concern over the potential damage. He highlighted the sensitivity of the megaliths, covered in prehistoric markings yet to be fully studied. Pitts stressed the importance of preserving the “exceptional lichen garden” on the stones.
Wiltshire Police confirmed their ongoing investigation in collaboration with English Heritage. The community and the public await further updates on the condition of this treasured monument.
Stonehenge, one of the world’s most iconic prehistoric monuments, is located on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. The construction of Stonehenge spanned several phases, beginning around 3000 BCE during the Neolithic period and continuing until approximately 1600 BCE in the early Bronze Age.
The earliest phase of Stonehenge involved the creation of a circular earthwork enclosure consisting of a ditch, bank, and approximately 56 pits known as Aubrey Holes. These holes may have initially held timber posts or stones. Around 2500 BCE, the monument underwent a significant transformation by introducing the large sarsen stones forming the famous outer circle and inner horseshoe arrangements. These massive stones, some weighing up to 25 tons, were transported from the Marlborough Downs, roughly 20 miles north of the site. Smaller bluestones, originating from the Preseli Hills in Wales, over 150 miles away, were also added during this phase, demonstrating the remarkable effort and coordination of the ancient builders.
The purpose of Stonehenge remains a subject of debate and fascination. It is widely believed to have served as a ceremonial or religious site, possibly linked to solar and lunar alignments. The monument’s alignment with the solstices suggests it may have been used for astronomical observations or rituals celebrating the changing seasons.
Stonehenge has captured the imagination of historians, archaeologists, and the general public throughout the millennia. It has been a place of pilgrimage, a source of myth and legend, and a symbol of Britain’s ancient heritage. In the modern era, it continues to draw millions of visitors annually, who marvel at its architectural grandeur and ponder its mysteries. Stonehenge was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.