Ancient Stonehenge Survives Climate Protest Vandalism Unscathed

Stonehenge, the iconic monument that has stood for thousands of years, appeared unscathed after climate protesters were arrested for spraying orange paint on it, an official reported on Thursday.

Nick Merriman, the chief executive of English Heritage, confirmed that workers had cleaned the stones and that the approximately 4,500-year-old monument remained visibly undamaged. “It’s difficult to understand and we’re deeply saddened,” Merriman told BBC Radio 4. “It’s vandalism to one of the world’s most celebrated ancient monuments”, via The Independent.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site reopened and was expected to host thousands of revelers celebrating the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, early Friday.

Stonehenge, constructed on a windswept plain in southern England in stages beginning 5,000 years ago, remains a mystery in terms of its origin and purpose. The stone circle aligns with the summer solstice sunrise and winter solstice sunset, drawing crowds of spiritualists, druids, and sun worshippers.

A 73-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman were released on bail Thursday after being arrested the day before on suspicion of criminal damage, damaging an ancient monument, and deterring a person from engaging in lawful activity.

The climate change activism group Just Stop Oil claimed responsibility for the act and released a video showing a man, identified as Rajan Naidu, spraying a fog of orange from a fire extinguisher at one of the vertical stones. People gathered at the site could be heard yelling “Stop,” and one person intervened, running up to Naidu and grabbing his arm. As the person struggled to pull him away from the monument, another man joined the tussle and wrestled the paint can free.

The second protester, identified as Niamh Lynch, 21, managed to spray three stones before she was stopped. Just Stop Oil stated that the paint was made of cornstarch and would dissolve in the rain.

Merriman noted that experts cleaned the orange powder from the stones due to concerns about how it might react to water.

The publicity stunt was one in a long line of disruptive acts by Just Stop Oil to draw attention to the climate crisis. The group’s protests have halted sporting events, sullied famous works of art, and caused traffic jams. These acts have led to convictions, jail terms, and widespread criticism.

The Stonehenge demonstration was swiftly condemned by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who called it a “disgraceful act of vandalism.” Labour leader Keir Starmer, Sunak’s main opponent in the upcoming election, called the group “pathetic” and said the damage was “outrageous.”

The group struck again on Friday, taking credit for spray painting private jets at an airport outside London. Two women were arrested.