Lost ancient stone raised up in valley

A lost ancient stone, believed to have once been part of a Stone Age tomb, has been raised.

The 5-ft (1.5m) stone, which has been named the Bride Stone, was brought back into view at the Valley of Stones National Nature Reserve, near Dorchester, Dorset.

It was discovered during scrub clearances carried out at the reserve, and raised by local volunteers along with Natural England and community archaeology company Past Participate.

Rob Beard, reserve manager for Natural England, said: "I'm thrilled to have the Bride Stone standing over the valley. It's a visual testament to all the similar monuments that have been lost."

Past Participate believes the stone, which was seperate from the scattered boulders that give the Valley of Stones its name, once formed part of a Stone Age tomb.

The scattering of large blocks of silicified sandstone at the site, known as sarsen boulders, were shaped by Ice Age weathering, Natural England said.

Some were then used by people in Neolithic times to create standing stones and stone circles.

Beard said the stone's return added "another chapter to the story of a landscape where nature and human history have been intertwined for millennia".

"The stone stands at the heart of a prehistoric landscape, surrounded by stone circles, standing stones, chambered tombs and barrows," he explained.

"It will, I hope, inspire people to visit the Valley of Stones National Nature Reserve and evoke the spirit of this special, secret landscape."

Anne Teather, director of Past Participate, said: "The repositioning of this stone celebrates the exceptional discoveries that have been made recently in the Valley of Stones, and it will serve as a focal point for visitors to this area for decades to come.

"The Bride Stone represents a tangible reminder of the numerous ancient monuments that have been lost, dismantled or destroyed in this landscape."