The drilling rig at Stonehenge where core samples are being taken for analysis in preparation for the A303 tunnel project.
A giant drill is being used beside the A303 at Stonehenge as part of a three-week survey by engineers in preparation for the proposed tunnel.
The cut-and-cover tunnel is part of a £125m project by English Heritage to create a world-class visitor centre for the ancient monument.
The current facilities have been derided as a 'national disgrace'.
During the last week three bore-holes have been drilled to a depth of about 30 metres to provide information about the ground conditions through which the 2km tunnel is likely to pass.
This information, based on factors such as chalk quality and groundwater level, will help to determine the size and design of the final scheme.
"We are still in a very early preparatory stage," explained Mark Bailey,
Highways Agency project engineer for the A303 Stonehenge improvements.
Archaeologists are also on site for the duration of the study in case engineers uncover something unexpected.
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