Description
Book SynopsisStonehenge is one of the world's most famous monuments. Who built it, how and why are questions that have endured for at least 900 years, but modern methods of investigation are now able to offer up a completely new understanding of this iconic stone circle. Stonehenge's history straddles the transition from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age, though its story began long before it was built. Serving initially as a burial ground, it evolved over time into a sacred place for gathering, feasting and building, and was remodelled several times as different peoples arrived in the area along with new technologies and customs. In more recent centuries it has found itself the centre of excavations, political protests and even conspiracy theories, embedding itself in the consciousness of the modern world. In this book Mike Parker Pearson draws on two decades of research, the results of recent excavations and cutting-edge scientific analyses to uncover many of the secrets that this prehistoric s
Trade ReviewStartling in its detail, exciting in its broad historical implications and robust in its scientific evidence. -- Timothy R. Pauketat, Professor of Anthropology, University of Illinois, USA
Cuts across boundaries of archaeology, history and history of science to reintroduce Stonehenge to the 21st century. -- Nena Galanidou, Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology, University of Crete, Greece
Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface 1. Investigating Stonehenge: How We Know What We Know 2. Before Stonehenge 3. The First Stonehenge 4. The Second Stonehenge 5. Stonehenge (Stage 3) in the Age of Copper 6. Stonehenge (Stage 4) in the Age of Bronze 7. Stonehenge (Stage 5) in the Age of Gold 8. After Stonehenge: The Age of Silence? 9. Stonehenge into the Modern Era 10. Druids, Free Festivals and Development Pressures: Stonehenge in Contention 11. Stonehenge: The Never-Ending Story
Notes Chronology of the Building of Stonehenge Glossary Chronological dramatis personae
of Deceased Authors, Personalities and Investigators of Stonehenge Further Reading Bibliography Index
