Paper short abstract:

This paper uses contemporary film-art to reflect on the politics of heritage and the wider meanings of recent events at Stonehenge.

Paper long abstract:

I examine two films created by visual artists Janet Hodgson and Pil and Galia Kollectiv produced in response to recent excavations at Stonehenge. These artworks explore the architecture of time through film, and the relationships among science, work and ritual. During the making of Pil and Galia Kollectiv's film an unexpected controversy blew up. Before the resolution of this controversy, English Heritage banned contemporary artists from working at Stonehenge. I reflect on the wider meaning of the art ban; asking why film art, in particular, challenges authoritative heritage discourse.