King Orry statue plans 'could impact Manx archaeology'
'Ritual and religious activity'
The landscape around Tynwald Hill was "steeped in ritual and religious activity stretching back more than 3,000 years," said Mr Johnston.He pointed to the fact that Viking age burial sites, a Christian medieval cross, medieval assembly mounds, and religious sites both modern and medieval had been discovered in the area, either above ground or buried.Therefore the "potential for further significant discoveries is evident", said Mr Johnston.The conservationist said a large statue would require "ground disturbance" for the construction of its foundation, the creation of a plinth, paving, and the provision of a buried electrical supply.All of these would "inevitably have a substantive archaeological impact", added Mr Johnston.Suggested mitigation measures could include a geophysical survey to identify the presence of burial and archaeological remains, test excavations, and the "fine-tuning" of the statue's precise location.Mr Johnston argued these measures should be done before the application can even be considered.King Orry was an 11th Century Viking warrior who made three attempts to capture the Isle of Man. He ultimately reigned for 16 years.
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