The Longstones facts for kids
The Longstones are two very old stones standing in a field in Wiltshire, England. People call them 'Adam' and 'Eve'. These stones are a special part of prehistoric times. They tell us about people who lived thousands of years ago.
The Longstones: Ancient Stones of Wiltshire
The Longstones are two large stones. They stand near a village called Beckhampton in Wiltshire. The bigger stone is named 'Adam'. The other stone is called 'Eve'. 'Eve' was likely part of an old stone path. This path, called the Beckhampton Avenue, connected to the famous Avebury stone circle. The path probably ended here.
The Mystery of the Cove
'Adam' is a huge stone. It weighs about 62 tons! 'Adam' was once part of a special group of four stones. This group formed a 'cove'. A cove is like a small, open stone room. It had an open side facing southeast. This side looked towards the South Street barrow, an ancient burial mound.
In the year 2000, experts from several universities dug around 'Adam'. They found holes where the other three stones once stood. These holes showed that the stones were placed very close to 'Adam'. Sadly, local landowners destroyed the other stones a long time ago.
Discoveries and History
'Adam' fell over in 1911. A woman named Maud Cunnington helped put it back up in 1912. But she put it back the wrong way!
Maud Cunnington also found something else. She found the burial of a middle-aged man. He was from the Beaker culture. This culture lived after the giant stones were first put up. In 1933, the Longstones became a 'scheduled ancient monument'. This means they are protected by law. It helps make sure these important old stones are kept safe for the future.
