Stonehenge, one of the world’s most iconic ancient monuments, was subjected to an act of vandalism on Wednesday when two Just Stop Oil activists sprayed the historic site with orange powder paint.
The incident occurred around midday, leading to the swift arrest of the protesters by Wiltshire Police.
The activists, identified as 21-year-old student Niamh Lynch from Oxford and 73-year-old Rajan Naidu from Birmingham, aimed to draw attention to their cause, demanding the UK government cease all extraction and burning of fossil fuels by 2030.
The group defended their actions by claiming the orange powder, made of cornflour, would “wash away with rain.”
However, the immediate concern of English Heritage, the charity responsible for Stonehenge’s care, was the potential damage to the prehistoric stones.
The site is adorned with over fifty species of lichens, some of which are rare and extremely sensitive to interference. As such, traditional cleaning methods involving water or brushing were not viable options.
Dr. Nick Merriman, Chief Executive of English Heritage, expressed relief on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, reporting that the site’s experts had successfully removed the powder using an air blower.
“So far, there seems to be no visible damage,” he stated, highlighting the swift and careful response of the cleaning team. Dr. Merriman emphasized the potential risk if the powder had come into contact with rain, which could have caused significant harm to the lichens.
The incident, described by Dr. Merriman as “vandalism to one of the world’s most celebrated ancient monuments,” has sparked widespread condemnation.
Both Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer denounced the act. Dr. Merriman shared his disappointment, urging activists to avoid targeting cultural heritage sites.
“We wish people would channel their protests away from cultural heritage sites, museums, and galleries because we feel that doesn’t actually help their cause, and causes huge upset and disruption to the operation of these important sites,” he added.
Despite the disruption, English Heritage confirmed that Stonehenge would be open for the Summer Solstice celebrations as planned, welcoming visitors from 19:00 BST on Thursday.
The Summer Solstice, a significant event for many, sees thousands gather to witness the sunrise and celebrate the longest day of the year.
The swift action and expertise of the cleaning team have been praised by both the public and heritage professionals. “It’s difficult to understand, and we’re deeply saddened about this vandalism, but we’ve been really touched by the messages of sympathy and support we’ve had,”
Dr. Merriman remarked, reflecting on the public’s reaction to the incident.
Just Stop Oil’s choice of Stonehenge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for their demonstration, has ignited a debate about the methods used by climate activists.
While the group insists their actions were meant to be non-destructive, the potential risk to the ancient stones and their delicate ecosystems underscores the tension between activism and preservation.
As the dust settles, Stonehenge stands ready to welcome visitors once again, its ancient stones resilient against both time and recent trials. The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between advocating for change and protecting our shared cultural heritage.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
