Open Letter Urges Archaeologists to Unite in Opposition to Stonehenge Tunnel Project

An open letter signed by 733 archaeologists calls on the heritage community to take a strong, united stance in discussions about the controversial Stonehenge tunnel project.

The £1.7 billion, two-mile tunnel, approved by the Department for Transport and claimed by National Highways to improve traffic flow and reduce noise near the monument, could lead to Stonehenge's removal from UNESCO's World Heritage list.

Despite the potential impact on the site, the letter highlights the lack of input from archaeologists in the debate, urging professionals to overcome their silence due to job-related restraints.

Prominent figures in archaeology endorse the letter, emphasizing the need for an authoritative and evidence-driven response to the polarized issue.

The project had initially been greenlit in 2020, but a High Court challenge halted progress in 2021. As a new legal confrontation looms, campaigners criticize the government for ignoring UNESCO's warnings and potentially endangering the historic site.