The Mysteries Of Stonehenge

"An exploration of the questions and mysteries that have puzzled scholars and experts about the Neolithic site of Stonehenge. Features include a map, fact boxes, biographies of famous experts on Stonehenge, places to see and visit, a glossary, further readings, and index"--

"Stonehenge is a circle of huge rocks in England that's been there for thousands of years. How did it even get there? And what on Earth was it used for?"--Provided by publisher.

Examines the various mysteries of the ancient megalithic monument Stonehenge, discussing the possibilities regarding who built it, how they constructed it, and what its purpose was.

“The most authoritative, important book on Stonehenge to date.”—Kirkus, starred review Stonehenge stands as an enduring link to our prehistoric ancestors, yet the secrets it has guarded for thousands of years have long eluded us. Until now, the millions of enthusiasts who flock to the iconic site have made do with mere speculation—about Stonehenge’s celestial significance, human sacrifice, and even aliens and druids. One would think that the numerous research expeditions at Stonehenge had left no stone unturned. Yet, before the Stonehenge Riverside Project—a hugely ambitious, seven-year dig by today’s top archaeologists—all previous digs combined had only investigated a fraction of the monument, and many records from those earlier expeditions are either inaccurate or incomplete. Stonehenge—A New Understanding rewrites the story. From 2003 to 2009, author Mike Parker Pearson led the Stonehenge Riverside Project, the most comprehensive excavation ever conducted around Stonehenge. The project unearthed a wealth of fresh evidence that had gone untouched since prehistory. Parker Pearson uses that evidence to present a paradigm-shifting theory of the true significance that Stonehenge held for its builders—and mines his field notes to give you a you-are-there view of the dirt, drama, and thrilling discoveries of this history-changing archaeological dig.

Our knowledge about Stonehenge has changed dramatically as a result of the Stonehenge Riverside Project (2003-2009), led by Mike Parker Pearson, and included not only Stonehenge itself but also the nearby great henge enclosure of Durrington Walls. This book is about the people who built Stonehenge and its relationship to the surrounding landscape. The book explores the theory that the people of Durrington Walls built both Stonehenge and Durrington Walls, and that the choice of stone for constructing Stonehenge has a significance so far undiscovered, namely, that stone was used for monuments to the dead. Through years of thorough and extensive work at the site, Parker Pearson and his team unearthed evidence of the Neolithic inhabitants and builders which connected the settlement at Durrington Walls with the henge, and contextualised Stonehenge within the larger site complex, linked by the River Avon, as well as in terms of its relationship with the rest of the British Isles. Parker Pearson's book changes the way that we think about Stonehenge; correcting previously erroneous chronology and dating; filling in gaps in our knowledge about its people and how they lived; identifying a previously unknown type of Neolithic building; discovering Bluestonehenge, a circle of 25 blue stones from western Wales; and confirming what started as a hypothesis - that Stonehenge was a place of the dead - through more than 64 cremation burials unearthed there, which span the monument's use during the third millennium BC. In lively and engaging prose, Parker Pearson brings to life the imposing ancient monument that continues to hold a fascination for everyone.

Endorsed by English Heritage experts, this a uthoritative book uses the latest archaeological methods and discoveries to explain current knowledge on Stonehenge '

Stonehenge is one of the world's most famous sites where ancient history can still be explored today. This ancient monument has puzzled and fascinated archaeologists and historians for hundreds of years because no one knows for sure what it was actually built for! Stone Age Britain was a place where many different tribes of people lived and many theories suggest that Stonehenge was a place used for ceremonies and rituals. Solving the Mysteries of Stonehenge explores this amazing ruin and looks in detail at other famous henges such as one of the largest ones in Europe at Avebury and the stone circles at Carnac in France. With Stonehenge as a background, the book fills in the details of how we think the people who lived there at the time built and used this amazing stone circle. It also explains how some of the archaeological discoveries were uncovered, which have helped to piece together our understanding of this fascinating place. This series investigates some of the most well-known sites of past civilisations. Shows archaeologists as detectives of the past and how they work to solve mysteries of ancient cultures and civilisations by literally 'Digging Into History'. A brilliant series for young history buffs and any child interested in archaeology.