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A Brief History of Stonehenge
Publishing Details
Full Title:
A Brief History of Stonehenge
Contributors:
By (Author) Aubrey Burl
Series:
Publisher:
Little, Brown Book Group
Imprint:
Robinson Publishing
Publication Date:
24th May 2007
Country:
United Kingdom
Classifications
Readership:
General
Genre:
Fiction/Non-fiction:
Non Fiction
Main Subject:
Other Subjects:
Ancient history
Archaeology by period / region
Dewey:
936.231
Physical Properties
Number of Pages:
384
Dimensions:
Width 201mm, Height 134mm, Spine 26mm
Weight:
274g
Description
A concise history of the world's greatest stone circle, Stonehenge, by Britain's leading expert.
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 predates Stonehenge itself, serving as a trackway 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 sightline 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 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.Reviews
"Burl's authoritative book is indispensable."
"This masterly account of Britain's largest stone circle is so thorough, intelligent, and above all, wonderfully readable."
Author Bio
Aubrey Burl has published books on prehistoric stone circles, a history of the Albigensian Crusade, and two biographies - of an 18th-century pirate, Bartholomew Roberts, and of the medieval French poet, Franois Villon.
