A Brief History of Stonehenge : A Complete History And Archaeology Of The World's Most Enigmatc Stone Circle

A Brief History of Stonehenge : A Complete History And Archaeology Of The World's Most Enigmatc Stone Circle
ISBN: 9781845295912
Publication Date: 24 May 2007

Britain's leading expert on stone circles turns his attention to the greatest example of them all -

Stonehenge . Every aspect of Stonehenge is re-considered in Aubrey Burl's new analysis.

He explains for the first time how the outlying Heel Stone long pre-dates Stonehenge itself, serving as a track way marker in the prehistoric Harroway. He uncovers new evidence that the Welsh bluestones were brought to Stonehenge by glaciation rather than by man. And he reveals just how far the design of Stonehenge was influenced by Breton styles and by Breton cults of the dead.

Meticulously research sets the record straight on the matter of Stonehenge's astronomical alignments. Although the existence of a sight line to the midsummer sunrise is well known, the alignment and the viewing position are different from popular belief. And the existence of an earlier alignment to the moon and a later one to the midwinter sunset has been largely unrealised.

One almost unexplained puzzle remains. The site of Stonehenge lies at the heart of a vast six mile wide graveyard, but before it was built there appears to have been a mysterious gap two miles across on that site. Burl argues that earlier totem pole style constructions served a ceremonial purpose for the living - to celebrate success in the hunt.

About the Author

Aubrey Burl is former principal lecturer in archaeology, Hull College of Higher Education. His many books on stone circles include

Prehistoric Avebury and

A Guide to the Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland, and Brittany.