The mystery of Stonehenge visitor centre
Hallucogenic herbal drugs, pagan sex, hippy riots - The prehistoric slabs of Stonehenge have seen it all. And now we have the unexpected return of ritual slaughter. 
Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander took the axe to twelve projects previously approved by a Labour government. Twelve more were put on ice. The saving to the taxpayer was put at a cool ten and a half billion pounds.
They admit that the stones are a global icon, the image used to sell Britain's bid for the 2012 Olympics, but now laid low by visitor facilities described by a committee of MPs as a "national disgrace." Recognition of the disappointment that the heritage community feels came from Minister John Penrose.
"I hope that they, and others, will understand why this has come about - the costs and benefits of this project had to be considered in the light of the current financial picture. "
But take a closer look at what's happened to the mysterious stones. The Treasury press release claims a saving of £25 million. But DCMS total it to £17 million. Patient press officers explained to me how each department does its sums differently, but it feels llike both departments are travelling too hopefully.
Do you count the money already spent? How could that come back? The money being put in from the Heritage Lottery Fund? English Heritage? The taxpayer can't immediately take this cash to spend on schools or hospitals.
I reckon we'll be lucky to see more than nine million saved. Compare that to the more than 23 million pounds already spent on preparatory studies of one kind or another.
And English Heritage also point to errors in the justification used to cull the long awaited scheme.
The Treasury say that their list of victims was taken from schemes approved since January 1st, 2010. But the Stonehenge scheme was announced by Gordon Brown in May 2009. A treasury press release confirming the funds was issued in November.
English Heritage are furious. Their statement says "obviously we are extremely disappointed."
"Stonehenge is a project of global significance. It is Britain's premier World Heritage Site. It was a key feature in Britain's bid for the London Olympics. Transforming the monument's setting and the visitor experience is vital to Britain's reputation, and to our tourism industry, especially in 2012 but also thereafter. "
They are insisting that the project could still go ahead if they can replace the government money.
It has to be pointed out that some local people were unhappy with the current plan anyway. It doesn't address congestion on the A303 and felt like a cheap sticking plaster to tart things up before the 2012 visitors arrive.
At Stonehenge today many tourists were also suspicious of too much commercialisation. The appeal of the stones is its mystery. But I suspect we will look back and wonder at the real meaning of this cut as well.
Welcome to the hustings! I'm Peter Henley, the BBC's political reporter in the south of England. From parish councils in Sussex, to European politics in Oxford, this is the blog for you. 
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