The Aurochs Returns to Amesbury after 8000 years
A remarkable new piece of public art has arrived in the heart of Amesbury bringing a prehistoric giant back to the town after an absence of around 8,000 years.
May 14, 2026 16:56
Amesbury History Centre commissioned Amesbury resident and metalworker Dan North, better known locally as “Dan of Steel”, to create a unique bench in the shape of an aurochs the enormous wild cattle that once roamed the landscape around Amesbury during the Mesolithic period.
Dan admitted the project was unlike anything he had tackled before.
“I’ve never made anything this big before. It’s been 100 hours of work,” he said.
The striking installation now sits proudly on Salisbury Street, where residents, visitors and shoppers have already been stopping to admire it and take photographs.
Archaeological discoveries from two decades of excavations at Blick Mead have revealed just how important aurochs were to the area’s prehistoric communities. Experts believe the animals were around three times the size of modern bulls and once roamed the land surrounding Amesbury in large numbers.
Researchers say a single aurochs could have fed around 300 people, while every part of the animal including bone, horns, sinew and hides would have been used by Mesolithic communities.
The discoveries are so significant that Amesbury History Centre adopted the aurochs as its logo, with archaeologists stating that more aurochs were consumed in the Amesbury area than anywhere else in north-western Europe.
The official unveiling was carried out by the Mayor of Amesbury at the time, Councillor Dr Monica Devendran, who pulled the ribbon to reveal the sculpture in front of gathered residents, business owners and workers from nearby shops and cafés.
The event created a lively atmosphere in the town centre, with many shoppers commenting on how spectacular the bench looks and how it adds character to Salisbury Street.
Volunteers at Amesbury History Centre hope the eye-catching sculpture will also encourage more visitors to discover the museum itself, located just around the corner.
Image: Andy Doig, Co-chair Amesbury History Centre and Dan North, Creator of the bench.
The centre, which is entirely volunteer-run, offers free entry, accessible facilities, a café serving homemade cakes and scones, and a gift shop featuring locally inspired presents and souvenirs.
The unveiling comes as Amesbury continues its bid to become UK Town of Culture in 2028.
People interested in learning more about the aurochs, the discoveries at Blick Mead, and why Amesbury is considered the oldest continuously visited settlement in the UK can visit the history centre or explore upcoming events online.
The centre is also encouraging new volunteers to get involved through its website and social media channels.
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