A display of part of Seahenge - the remarkable Bronze Age timber circle, which was excavated from the shoreline at Holme, near Hunstanton, in 1999 - forms the focal point of a £1.2m redevelopment plan for Lynn Museum at King's Lynn (England), which should be completed in autumn 2005. The fate of the 4000-year-old monument was finally resolved in 2001 when English Heritage announced that it would be preserved for future generations.
     West Norfolk area museums officer Robin Handley explained that about half the original circle would be displayed – and gave an insight into what visitors had in store. "The idea is that they would obviously be able to look at the timbers themselves, and the backdrop would be showing it as it was built," he said. "What we would be looking to do is to treat the circle quite respectfully. That was something that came out quite strongly in a public meeting at Holme. We are looking to be quite restrained in the interpretation we put on the circle, but in terms of telling the story, we would be looking to use a range of devices, including audio wands, so people can select a commentary. The interesting thing about Seahenge is the different levels on which it has a story to tell.
     As well as Seahenge, the other key element of the scheme is to restore the museum building to its former glory. "Clearly the other thing we are looking to do – and one of the advantages of having it in the Lynn Museum – will be displaying it in the context of other sites and finds from the area," said Dr Handley. "We have a very good archaeological collection here."

Source: EDP24 News (19 November 2003)