Two people have been charged after orange paint powder was thrown at the stones of Stonehenge during a Just Stop Oil protest ahead of the summer solstice.
The activists were arrested at the historic site in Wiltshire in June after the monument was sprayed with coloured cornflour.
Wiltshire Police said Rajan Naidu, 73, of Gosford Street, Birmingham, and Niamh Lynch, 22, of Norfolk Road, Bedford have been charged with destroying or damaging an ancient protected monument, and intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance.
The force said the pair have been bailed to appear at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on December 13.
At the time Just Stop Oil said two of its activists carried out the protest as part of a demand for the end of the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030.
The protest was widely condemned, including by then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his successor Labour’s Keir Starmer.
But English Heritage chief executive Dr Nick Merriman said in June there appeared to be “no visible damage” to the world heritage site.
Dr Merriman told BBC Radio 4 at the time: “It’s difficult to understand and we’re deeply saddened about this vandalism, but we’ve been really touched by the messages of sympathy and support we’ve had.
“Our experts have already managed to clean the orange powder from the stones because we were really worried about what would happen if they got in contact with water.”
The site was able to open again in time for the summer solstice, as thousands headed to the site to celebrate the longest day of the year.
Stonehenge was built to align with the sun on the solstices, with the occasion attracting thousands of visitors to the ancient stones.
On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the north-east part of the horizon and its first rays shine into the heart of Stonehenge.
Sophie Stevens, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wessex said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Wiltshire Police to charge Naidu Rajan and Niamh Lynch with offences related to damage caused to the protected monument Stonehenge on 19 June 2024.
"They will appear at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on December 13 2024 for a first hearing.
"I would like to remind all concerned that there are active criminal proceedings against these individuals, and they have the right to a fair trial.
"There must be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that may in any way prejudice these proceedings."
