The research report is available here: and it contains a wealth of information and images. In 2011 a laser scan of the monument was carried out and the resulting analysis revealed over 100 axeheads and at least three daggers. The style of the axeheads (there are actually about three dozen of them on this face of Stone 53, and more on Stones 3, 4 and 5) suggests that they were carved some time between 1750BC and 1600BC, at least 800 years after the stones were put up. However, early photos of Stonehenge dating back to the 19th century clearly show the dagger and axehead – they simply weren't recognised for what they are. These carvings were first formally identified in 1953 by the archaeologist Richard Atkinson who was taking photos of the “IOH : LVD : DEFERRE” graffito at the time. The next photo highlights the most prominent ones – the dagger is on the left, pointing downwards, and an axehead is on the right with the blade uppermost looking rather like a mushroom in profile. FOOTE and others but far more interesting are the shallower, larger carvings lower down that aren't letters but bronze age axeheads and a dagger. To the left, right and below are fainter carvings belonging to W.M., J HALE, ICD, H.E. It's also visible from the visitor path when the light is in the right direction and it's suggested that it dates from the late 16th or early 17th century based on the style of lettering. Perhaps the earliest non-prehistoric carving is the line that reads “IOH : LVD : DEFERRE” and which is carved across the inner face of Stone 53. Less noticeable above and to the right is the name “TOM SENIOR” and the date “1817”, predating the more obvious “SEDGFIELD” carving which cuts through it. It's unknown who these names refer to, though one William Russell Sedgfield was an early photographer who was born in Devizes and one of his prints of Stonehenge dated to 1853 is held in the Royal Collection. Most obvious to the modern visitor as they walk along the path to the west of the monument are the words “SEDGFIELD” (or “SEDGFIELDS”) and “ANSTIE” on two lines on the face of stone 23. There is a story, perhaps apocryphal, that the blacksmiths in Amesbury used to rent hammers and chisels to passing visitors, but whether the tourists brought along their own tools or borrowed them the evidence of hundreds of years of graffiti carving is plain to see. Sadly for the monument, other people – presumably with better hammers and greater strength – have been able to break off fragments and carve their names into the stones over the centuries since it re-emerged into the pubic consciousness as a destination worthy of a visit.

The historian John Evelyn visited Stonehenge in 1654 and wrote that he found the stones “so exceedingly hard, that all my strength with a hammer could not break a fragment.” This ideology has caused friction between bombers and piecers which leads to beef amongst them however this is rare.WE HAVE JUST THE TOUR YOU ARE LOOKING FOR Most bombers tend to have a quantity over quality mindset preferring to have the more bombs possible rather than little well done pieces. Many writers gain reputation for bombing by many means such as having their their throws in so many places or by getting their throws in hard to reach places such as billboards, overpasses and rooftops. Other style aspects in most throws include faces and characters as well as quotes on the sides.īombing is the act of getting your throw in as much places as possible. For instance instead of being round many writers use throws with jagged edges or a mix of both jagged and round letters. Most writers when experienced in doing throws begin to get more creative with them giving more variety to the simple structure of a throw. Going overs someone's piece or throw with a throw up it is considered a sign of disrespect which will most likely lead to beef. Putting your throw up in multiple places is referred to as bombing.

Characteristics of a basic throw up include wide rounded letters, zero negative space on the insides as well as one to two colors or jus the outline. A throw up throw or throwie is a quick but slightly more complex version of a tag.

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