Orange powder paint sprayed on part of Stonehenge by activists has been successfully removed, according to English Heritage. The cleanup followed an incident on Wednesday when two protesters from Just Stop Oil sprayed the historic site with the powder, resulting in their arrest.
The activists, identified as Niamh Lynch, a 21-year-old student from Oxford, and Rajan Naidu, a 73-year-old from Birmingham, targeted the 5,000-year-old monument near Salisbury at around 12:00 BST. They used cornflour to create a dramatic visual effect in their demonstration, aimed at pressuring the UK government to halt fossil fuel extraction and usage by 2030.
Dr. Nick Merriman, Chief Executive of English Heritage, reported that experts removed the paint using an air blower, averting potential damage from rain. “We were really worried about what would happen if the paint got in contact with water,” Merriman explained on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. The stones, which host over fifty types of lichen, some of which are rare, required a careful cleaning approach to prevent damage.
“There appears to be no visible damage to the monument,” Merriman confirmed, adding that the site would reopen for Summer Solstice celebrations from 19:00 BST on Thursday. The cleanup ensured the protection of the ancient stones and the site’s accessibility to the public.
The protest, described by Dr. Merriman as “vandalism to one of the world’s most celebrated ancient monuments,” drew widespread condemnation. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer both criticized the act. Merriman urged activists to avoid targeting cultural heritage sites, as such actions disrupt operations and upset the public without advancing their causes effectively.
Just Stop Oil defended their action, claiming that the orange cornflour paint would “wash away with rain.” Despite this assertion, English Heritage’s timely intervention prevented any lasting impact on Stonehenge.
Wiltshire Police confirmed the arrests of Lynch and Naidu on suspicion of damaging the ancient monument. The incident underscores ongoing tensions between environmental activism and the preservation of cultural heritage sites.
Stonehenge, a site of immense historical significance, continues to attract global attention for both its ancient origins and its role as a focal point for contemporary issues. As the monument reopens for the Summer Solstice, efforts to balance activism with respect for cultural heritage remain in the spotlight.
