A plan by English Heritage to put five-thousand-year-old human bones on display at the new Stonehenge visitor centre has been criticised by a druid leader.
King Arthur Pendragon has called the plans 'macabre' and wants fake remains to be displayed instead.
The new visitor centre at the Wiltshire World Heritage site is due to be completed by the end of the year.
– Tim Reeve, English HeritageIt is also important to ensure we keep dignity for the stones, and that the solstice celebrations aren't in some way compromising the mystery and integrity of the stones.
Stonehenge was raised more than 4,000 years ago as a temple to the sun, and its banks and ditches are even older.
It was begun around 3,000BC in the Neolithic period and construction activities continued until about 1600BC in the Bronze Age. It is aligned with the rising and setting of the sun at the solstices, but its exact purpose remains a mystery.
For the first time in 5,000 years, the owners of Stonehenge are looking for a general manager. The £65,000-a-year job is needed, they say, to ensure 'dignity for the stones' amid the Druids and daytrippers who descend on the prehistoric monument each year.
The role will involve liaising with Druid leaders and ensuring the solstice celebrations "aren't in some way compromising the mystery and integrity of the stones", English Heritage said.
The successful candidate will be expected to manage the famous attraction, look after its one million visitors, and lead the monument's 180 staff and volunteers.
Another important duty would be maintaining relationships with Druid leaders such as King Arthur Pendragon who campaigned to make the site open to the public during the summer and winter solstices.
General responsibilities will include promoting ideas and overseeing the arrangements for the summer and winter solstices and seasonal gatherings. The closing date for job applications is May 5 2013
An interview with archaeologist Julian Richards at Stonehenge in Wiltshire.
The Spring Solstice or ‘Vernal Equinox’ recognises the first day of spring and each year sees druids and pagans gather at Stonehenge early in the morning to watch the sun rise above the prehistoric stones.
Stonehenge was not built for astronomy but was constructed by thousands of people who flocked to the area for the ancient equivalent of Glastonbury festival, researchers have said.
Experts said the placement of the enormous stones united people from across Britain who joined together for mass feasts and to celebrate the winter solstice.
The findings come after a decade of research from University College London which included excavations, laboratory work and the analysis of 63 ancient human remains.
Professor Mike Parker Pearson, who led the team, said the findings overturn the belief that Stonehenge was built as an astronomical calendar or observatory.
Stonehenge was not built for astronomy but was constructed by thousands of people who flocked to the area for the ancient equivalent of Glastonbury festival, researchers have said.
Experts said the placement of the enormous stones united people from across Britain who joined together for mass feasts and to celebrate the winter solstice.
The findings come after a decade of research from University College London which included excavations, laboratory work and the analysis of 63 ancient human remains.
Professor Mike Parker Pearson, who led the team, said the findings overturn the belief that Stonehenge was built as an astronomical calendar or observatory.
More than 5,000 people gathered at Stonehenge early today to mark the winter solstice - the shortest day of the year.
There were many more people there this year, as the date coincided with the end of the cycle of the Mayan calendar.
Francesca Carpenter reports:
