The Charter of Responsible Megalithic Web Authors
 Please stick to the following guidelines when visiting
any ancient sites and monuments.
Get permission to visit monuments on
private land. Permission is usually granted if asked for, but repeated trespass could lead
to access being denied to all of us, and prosecution of the trespasser. Remember, the right to roam extends only to roaming so you need additional permission to leave stuff, which in most cases won’t be granted.
Treat the countryside around the monument
with care. Irresponsible behaviour on either public or private land could lead to access
restrictions, or complete denial of access to the monument such as is the case at
Stonehenge most of the time.
No valuable objects are likely to exist at,
in or under the monuments. Do not dig or disturb the site in any way.
Any discovery made at a monument should be
reported to the local museum or via the Portable Antiquites Scheme. Every clue that aids in the understanding of these places
can then be shared by all who wish to know.
Use the monument in whatever way you choose, for
- sightseeing
- scientific investigation
- experiential satisfaction
- religious practices
But do not move, mark or alter the monument in any way, even
temporarily. This specifically includes moving or re-arranging stones, digging in or
around the site or hiding caches within the immediate environs of the site. Also do not use metal detectors, leave things behind in fields full of livestock, burn candles or nightlights anywhere near the stones or daub paint anywhere.
Much damage is done accidentally by people
who mean no harm. Think twice, and don't do anything which would cause degradation to the
monument such as climbing on it or lighting fires nearby.
Through adherence to these simple
guidelines we hope that the stones which have survived the countless centuries to remain
to us now, will not fall victim to the generations of the 21st century. We who are the
most knowledgable and capable of people are thereby mandated to be the most responsible.
Signed:
Andy Burnham - Megalithic Portal
Alligator Descartes - Symbolstone
Alastair McIvor - Derbyshire Stone Circles
Chris Tweed - Ancient Sites Directory
Sam Fleming - Ravenfamily.org
Tom Fourwinds - Megalithomania.com
and many others...
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