A ‘lost’ piece of Stonehenge has been returned after 60 years.
The fragment was removed during conservation work and transported to America, but researchers understood that the piece was lost.
The stone ‘core’ was removed during archaeological excavations back in 1958. But 60 years on and the discovery could help uncover the history behind the stones. Three holes were drilled into the metre-thick stone as part of a plan to use metal rods to reinforce one of the stones, which had cracked. Basingstoke diamond-cutting company Van Moppes conducted work on the stones, but employee Robert Phillips kept one of the Stonehenge cores removed during a process.
Mr Phillips took it with him when he emigrated to America and it was only on the eve of his 90th birthday when he decided he wanted to return it to England. English Heritage is unsure if two other Stonehenge cores survived and is urging anyone who has any information to get in touch with them.
