UN cultural agency rejects plan to place Britain's Stonehenge on list of heritage sites in danger

Stonehenge, an iconic prehistoric monument in southern England, has been at the center of a debate surrounding a plan to build a nearby highway tunnel. The United Nations' cultural agency, UNESCO, recently rejected the recommendation to list Stonehenge as a heritage site in danger due to the potential threat posed by the construction project.

Stonehenge, constructed on Salisbury Plain around 5,000 years ago, was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986. However, concerns have arisen over the construction of a new highway tunnel in close proximity to the monument, leading to suggestions of listing it as "in danger."

During the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, members representing countries such as Kenya and Qatar expressed their belief that Britain's mitigation plans were sufficient. Consequently, they opposed the designation of Stonehenge as an "in danger" site.

The highway project aims to alleviate traffic issues by relocating the main road underground, further away from the stone circle. However, the proposal faced resistance from locals, archaeologists, and UNESCO due to potential harm to the environment, wildlife, and potential archaeological discoveries.

Kenya emphasized that the main stone circle would be better protected with the new construction, thereby amending the recommendation. However, UNESCO experts argued that the entire landscape surrounding Stonehenge should be safeguarded, as the monument is intricately linked to numerous prehistoric features in the area.

Despite the rejection, the World Heritage Committee has requested an updated conservation report from Britain by December 2025. This demonstrates the committee's intention to draw attention to the need for conservation measures and prompt corrective action rather than imposing punitive measures.

While the rejection of Stonehenge's inclusion as an endangered site is a current development, the situation will continue to be monitored by UNESCO to ensure the preservation of this globally admired cultural treasure.

Earlier, SSP wrote about a 23,000-year-old ivory carving found in the Pope's Grotto.