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Stonehenge: Exploring the greatest Stone Age mystery
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.
416 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
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131 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 18, 2015
The whole idea of Stonehenge is a potent one. Those massive stones, dragged there from so far away (40 miles, by the most conservative theory) by people so long ago, for purposes that have puzzled us for centuries. Pearson’s work acknowledges the hold it has on our imaginations, and discusses a lot of the different theories before setting out his own and that of the excavation team he worked with. That aspect may be disappointing to you if you believe in a Mycenaean influence, or aliens building it, or that it’s an astronomical observatory. Or that Merlin brought the stones from Ireland and erected them with magic.
Overall, though, Pearson discusses the excavations themselves, the actual results of the digs and surveys, and the definite facts that came out of them. His interpretation is included, but I think he’s fairly clear that most of it is a working theory, albeit considered proven by himself and his team. I don’t know what archaeologists more generally think of it; to me, his theories seemed to make sense, but then I’m not an archaeologist, I have no particular specialist knowledge relevant to Stonehenge, and he wouldn’t exactly write the book to make himself sound like a crank. It does help that it seems aligned with theories about Seahenge that I read about by a different writer (review here).
If there’s a sense of wonder at history here, it’s about the things that humans could do, from so early in our history. It’s not about any religious awe; Pearson seems pretty devoid of that, at least as regards Stonehenge. And maybe a sense of wonder at what we can recover.
I think in some ways he theorises beyond his data, as the temptation always is with something like Stonehenge. I think he’s pretty convinced his theories are right, despite the fact that you can’t prove a lot of it (e.g. we can’t prove that henge burials tend to be of a family lineage over generations). But it’s overall a compelling book that pulls together the facts we have.
Overall, though, Pearson discusses the excavations themselves, the actual results of the digs and surveys, and the definite facts that came out of them. His interpretation is included, but I think he’s fairly clear that most of it is a working theory, albeit considered proven by himself and his team. I don’t know what archaeologists more generally think of it; to me, his theories seemed to make sense, but then I’m not an archaeologist, I have no particular specialist knowledge relevant to Stonehenge, and he wouldn’t exactly write the book to make himself sound like a crank. It does help that it seems aligned with theories about Seahenge that I read about by a different writer (review here).
If there’s a sense of wonder at history here, it’s about the things that humans could do, from so early in our history. It’s not about any religious awe; Pearson seems pretty devoid of that, at least as regards Stonehenge. And maybe a sense of wonder at what we can recover.
I think in some ways he theorises beyond his data, as the temptation always is with something like Stonehenge. I think he’s pretty convinced his theories are right, despite the fact that you can’t prove a lot of it (e.g. we can’t prove that henge burials tend to be of a family lineage over generations). But it’s overall a compelling book that pulls together the facts we have.
July 9, 2024
I enjoyed this book with its mass of detail, not only of the author’s excavations but of others both past and recent. It is well laid out with a suitable concluding chapter.
The trouble with archaeology is that it is a science but not an exact science. There cannot be a straightforward formulation of a hypothesis followed by a rigorous testing and analysis. Consequently there has to be too many ‘perhaps, maybe, probably, possibly and most likely’ and I felt that this book over indulges in them. Assumptions have to be made in order to progress but should be reviewed in the conclusion.
Unfortunately there seems to be a mistake which should have been spotted by proof reading; on page 71 rainwater is said to form hydrchloric acid when it reacts with chalk! Surely it is the carbonic acid in the rain that reacts with the chalk producing calcium bicarbonate. No chlorine involved.
There are some good colour photographs and illustrations, extensive index and bibliography. I will come back to this book for some rereading and perhaps I will make study notes to help me with the chronology.
The trouble with archaeology is that it is a science but not an exact science. There cannot be a straightforward formulation of a hypothesis followed by a rigorous testing and analysis. Consequently there has to be too many ‘perhaps, maybe, probably, possibly and most likely’ and I felt that this book over indulges in them. Assumptions have to be made in order to progress but should be reviewed in the conclusion.
Unfortunately there seems to be a mistake which should have been spotted by proof reading; on page 71 rainwater is said to form hydrchloric acid when it reacts with chalk! Surely it is the carbonic acid in the rain that reacts with the chalk producing calcium bicarbonate. No chlorine involved.
There are some good colour photographs and illustrations, extensive index and bibliography. I will come back to this book for some rereading and perhaps I will make study notes to help me with the chronology.
June 18, 2013
This work is an interesting and valuable description of seven years worth of investigations around the larger Stonehenge World Heritage site in southern England, and represents the latest understanding of the monument's purpose and place within the larger world. The great value of this book is it summarizes the origin, time period and use of Stonehenge and the surrounding settlements.
The author, Pearson, has been an archaeologist of neolithic sites in Britain, and elsewhere, throughout his career. This work should introduce the reader to how professional archaeology is done today, the many challenges involved and how conclusions are drawn from the matter.
The narrative of the text is largely a successive description of this ground breaking investigation of Stonehenge, and not much of the text is taken up with a tremendous amount of broader historical narrative. In short, the text reads like a very long, professional conference paper, but it is accesible to the laymen who is interested in the site and the history of the region. This book, representing unprecedented access to the site itself, largely revises the whole history of the region and site, and is well worth the time for those interested in this enigmatic, ancient monument.
The author, Pearson, has been an archaeologist of neolithic sites in Britain, and elsewhere, throughout his career. This work should introduce the reader to how professional archaeology is done today, the many challenges involved and how conclusions are drawn from the matter.
The narrative of the text is largely a successive description of this ground breaking investigation of Stonehenge, and not much of the text is taken up with a tremendous amount of broader historical narrative. In short, the text reads like a very long, professional conference paper, but it is accesible to the laymen who is interested in the site and the history of the region. This book, representing unprecedented access to the site itself, largely revises the whole history of the region and site, and is well worth the time for those interested in this enigmatic, ancient monument.
July 3, 2016
I picked up this book while visiting Stonehenge. Hoping to get a better understanding of the site, this book written by one of the site archeologists seemed like a good fit. It served the purpose but it was a labor to get through. The book is not written for the layman. The author goes into excruciating detail on several digging expeditions at the Stonehenge site. I appreciate the work they did but I did not need to read about every hole they dug. A summary of life in the Neolithic Age as it related to Stonehenge would have been a nice finish. The book does discuss Stonehenge's surroundings and other related sites in the area. Overall, reading the book did give me a better appreciation of the wonder of Stonehenge in a larger context. But the author's academic style and detail made it a slow grind to get through.
July 23, 2013
Quite possibly the best academic book I've ever read: Pearson exhaustively details the methods and findings of a multi-year dig at and around Stonehenge in a manner as gripping as any thriller. No technical quality is lost in his presentation of a story easily capable of engaging general audiences. It's a masterpiece of writing.
It's also a pair of absolutely fascinating stories, one of archaeological detective work that will thrill any forensic-procedurals fan, and one of the construction of a picture of British society, politics, culture and technology five thousand years ago.
Admittedly, I read this on a plane, which encourages extensive reading, but I literally couldn't put it down despite being exhausted. It's fascinating, even-handed, measured, and brilliant.
It's also a pair of absolutely fascinating stories, one of archaeological detective work that will thrill any forensic-procedurals fan, and one of the construction of a picture of British society, politics, culture and technology five thousand years ago.
Admittedly, I read this on a plane, which encourages extensive reading, but I literally couldn't put it down despite being exhausted. It's fascinating, even-handed, measured, and brilliant.
May 6, 2020
An excellent and accessible coverage of Stonehenge, not simply as a monument, but also as part of the sacred landscape of the area, as well as the people who built and developed it over a millennia.
A lot of the book is based on Mike Pearson Parker's extensive excavations and reinterpretion of previous archaeological digs in the area.
Overall, a great read that didn't get lost in the details while still providing a solid overview, and almost certainly now the definitive book on Stonehenge.
A lot of the book is based on Mike Pearson Parker's extensive excavations and reinterpretion of previous archaeological digs in the area.
Overall, a great read that didn't get lost in the details while still providing a solid overview, and almost certainly now the definitive book on Stonehenge.
December 22, 2024
A well written comprehensive account of the construction of Stonehenge and its context within neolithic Britain. I have learnt a lot from this book, including key dates, the wider neolithic landscape of the Salisbury Plain but also of Pembrokeshire and further a field, and details on the chronology of monuments built in Britain during the 4th and 3rd millennium BC.
July 12, 2013
The mysteries of Stonehenge fascinate archeologists as well as the general public, but for completely different reasons. To the public, the ancient structure is saturated with the eldritch energy of lay lines, the lore of ancient druids and rituals, and was probably built by ancient aliens (or so the History Channel hypothesizes). Archeologists and students of actual history are attracted to seemingly more mundane aspects of Stonehenge. For the scientists, finding a broken antler pick is far more interesting than trying to explore the magical properties of the stones or the land.
In his decidedly reality-based book, author and archeologist, Mike Parker Pearson, briefly addresses this duality as he discusses a gaggle of modern day druids who showed up to protest the start of his groundbreaking (pun intended) Stonehenge Riverside Project. He expresses his befuddled annoyance at their ambiguous new age complaints, agrees to let some of their more diplomatic members conduct a blessing on the land, then happily ignores them as he gets down to the real work of finding post holes, shards of pottery and charcoal lumps.
For even though Pearson and his colleagues give virtually zero thought to the monument’s magical or spiritual properties, Stonehenge and the surrounding complex of Neolithic structures are no less interesting for them. In picking apart its excavation history, then laying out and reorganizing our understanding of all the current knowledge, Pearson creates an impressive detective story that isn’t the sensationalistic plot you might expect from a pseudo-scientific cable television documentary, but nonetheless demonstrates how the last decade of research has redefined what archeologists know and understand about Stonehenge.
Having recently visited Stonehenge, I can attest to the mysterious command the stones hold over our imaginations. It seems like something otherworldly must have been going on there, but only because we do not understand it. In "Stonehenge", Pearson doesn't necessarily answer all the mysteries, but he certainly outlines a very vivid chronology that steps you through the few thousand years of Stonehenge's active history, and leaves one with a very clear understanding of the monument's connection to the ancient world that produced it.
The content can be a little dry at times, but only because Pearson is so tedious is mapping out every detail of his group’s findings. The author has a pleasing, genial writing style, but there are times the book feels like a really well-written university research paper. Pearson gives detailed and technical descriptions of various monuments, mounds, ditches, avenues, living structures, old excavation sites, human and animal remains. He explains the accuracy of radiocarbon dating, the usefulness of pollen and tooth enamel, the geographical distribution of stone and metal tools and various artistic and architectural motifs. He explains the geological fluke that is the probable cause for building on that particular site. He discusses the possible routes across which the sarsen and bluestones were likely dragged from their quarries. He explains the difference between a sarsen and a bluestone.
This is not a book of wild speculation and paradigm-shifting hypotheses. This is a book about the joy of figuring out what people did 5,000 years ago using the scientific method. If you’re a fan of druids and ancient aliens, the fantasy section of your bookstore is just down that aisle. If you’re a fan of archeology and the simple pleasure of finding things out, Mike Parker Pearson’s “Stonehenge” should whet your whistle.
In his decidedly reality-based book, author and archeologist, Mike Parker Pearson, briefly addresses this duality as he discusses a gaggle of modern day druids who showed up to protest the start of his groundbreaking (pun intended) Stonehenge Riverside Project. He expresses his befuddled annoyance at their ambiguous new age complaints, agrees to let some of their more diplomatic members conduct a blessing on the land, then happily ignores them as he gets down to the real work of finding post holes, shards of pottery and charcoal lumps.
For even though Pearson and his colleagues give virtually zero thought to the monument’s magical or spiritual properties, Stonehenge and the surrounding complex of Neolithic structures are no less interesting for them. In picking apart its excavation history, then laying out and reorganizing our understanding of all the current knowledge, Pearson creates an impressive detective story that isn’t the sensationalistic plot you might expect from a pseudo-scientific cable television documentary, but nonetheless demonstrates how the last decade of research has redefined what archeologists know and understand about Stonehenge.
Having recently visited Stonehenge, I can attest to the mysterious command the stones hold over our imaginations. It seems like something otherworldly must have been going on there, but only because we do not understand it. In "Stonehenge", Pearson doesn't necessarily answer all the mysteries, but he certainly outlines a very vivid chronology that steps you through the few thousand years of Stonehenge's active history, and leaves one with a very clear understanding of the monument's connection to the ancient world that produced it.
The content can be a little dry at times, but only because Pearson is so tedious is mapping out every detail of his group’s findings. The author has a pleasing, genial writing style, but there are times the book feels like a really well-written university research paper. Pearson gives detailed and technical descriptions of various monuments, mounds, ditches, avenues, living structures, old excavation sites, human and animal remains. He explains the accuracy of radiocarbon dating, the usefulness of pollen and tooth enamel, the geographical distribution of stone and metal tools and various artistic and architectural motifs. He explains the geological fluke that is the probable cause for building on that particular site. He discusses the possible routes across which the sarsen and bluestones were likely dragged from their quarries. He explains the difference between a sarsen and a bluestone.
This is not a book of wild speculation and paradigm-shifting hypotheses. This is a book about the joy of figuring out what people did 5,000 years ago using the scientific method. If you’re a fan of druids and ancient aliens, the fantasy section of your bookstore is just down that aisle. If you’re a fan of archeology and the simple pleasure of finding things out, Mike Parker Pearson’s “Stonehenge” should whet your whistle.
August 1, 2022
Having recently revisited Stonehenge and Avebury for the first time in many years, I was keen to read a book that brought the most recent research together in one place. This was the closest I could find, although it leaves me hoping for a follow up detailing the authors finding of the lost circle in Pembrokeshire.
This is written in a very easy to read style but manages to convey a huge amount of detailed information. The history of the construction of Stonehenge is set within the broader landscape, showing its importance to the Neolithic community in Britain at that time. The whole Riverside project is fascinating, and the excavation of Durrington Walls shows the monument in a new light. The idea of a site for the living and a site for the dead, laid out along a geological feature that coincidentally follows the solstice alignment.
I think it's the mark of a good book that I'm already planning a return to the area to walk around the landscape surrounding the stones, armed with all these new findings and ideas. And then to Pembrokeshire to see the home of the blue stones. Can't wait.
This is written in a very easy to read style but manages to convey a huge amount of detailed information. The history of the construction of Stonehenge is set within the broader landscape, showing its importance to the Neolithic community in Britain at that time. The whole Riverside project is fascinating, and the excavation of Durrington Walls shows the monument in a new light. The idea of a site for the living and a site for the dead, laid out along a geological feature that coincidentally follows the solstice alignment.
I think it's the mark of a good book that I'm already planning a return to the area to walk around the landscape surrounding the stones, armed with all these new findings and ideas. And then to Pembrokeshire to see the home of the blue stones. Can't wait.
April 21, 2022
A little meandering (the summary 'A New Chronology' helps), but informative and readable
August 1, 2023
So the answer to this age old question is:
“I don’t know…maybe…probably?!”
“I don’t know…maybe…probably?!”
August 15, 2025
Pretty complete archaeological history of not just Stonehenge but all the relevant surrounding areas. The author was chief archaeologist on a years long excavation project at the site in the late 2000s. His first hand experience and re-telling of previous digs forms the basis of the book. I learned much but the writing is very academic. Tougher to absorb. Chapter after chapter of good facts and then a nice interpretation at the very end. I accomplished my goal of learning more about Stonehenge... something I wanted to explore after visiting this incredible site almost 17 years ago.
April 21, 2018
A wonderful and up-to-date, archaelogically informed account of a fascinating landmark. Pearson goes beyond Stonehenge itself, demonstrating how the context of the monument helps explain its development. Lots of first-hand accounts of digs, theories and discoveries made this a very interesting read.
January 7, 2019
Dense reading, but a fascinating account of where Stonehenge fits in Neolithic History. I enjoyed finding out more about this ancient place.
October 7, 2013
In this book, Professor Parker-Pearson uses an easy going style to describe the sequence of events which led to recent discoveries in the last few years. Focusing not just on the monument but its surrounds and other relevant locations, the book takes care to explain how and why recent investigations took place. New discoveries are recorded in some detail together with short descriptions of existing knowledge and a useful revision of the established time-scale for the monument's construction: The attention to describing new information leads to a slightly dis-jointed approach, which was probably unavoidable given the breadth of sources; but compensated for by the enthusiasm which runs through the book.
Overall, the book is different from other works on Stonehenge because of the concentration on providing the latest information, from a variety of investigation projects, in an easily digestible form.
Overall, the book is different from other works on Stonehenge because of the concentration on providing the latest information, from a variety of investigation projects, in an easily digestible form.
October 27, 2014
Profoundly disappointing -- written in a chatty and informal style, but so comfortable is the author with his ruling hypotheses that the reader has no idea where evidence ends and fantasy begins. There is no serious attempt to present evidence on the ground and to then analyse and discuss hard facts and new discoveries, through the use of scientific method, with a conclusion well founded and well supported by cited evidence. The author does not have any time for working hypotheses -- everything is determined in advance, or through chatty sessions with fellow workers...... that would have been bad practice in 1800, let alone today.
The book is also pretty disorganized, hopping about from one topic to another, and with assorted wild goose chases.
If ever a book needed peer review and much tighter editing, this is it. And the print version, with flat lifeless printing on bulky paper, is a design disaster.
The book is also pretty disorganized, hopping about from one topic to another, and with assorted wild goose chases.
If ever a book needed peer review and much tighter editing, this is it. And the print version, with flat lifeless printing on bulky paper, is a design disaster.
January 22, 2015
I really liked this book -- despite often long passages of archaeological minutia that only a dedicated Stonehenge nut like me would ever care about, it also has a lot of new and really fascinating information. The degree to which Stonehenge and its environs have NOT ever been excavated or closely studied is astonishing to me. Like most people, I assumed it had been excavated and studied to death, but that's not the case.
We still have a great deal to learn about what people were doing and why they kept moving and re-positioning huge slabs of rock over 3000 years ago in the British Isles. So much effort and labor, extending over centuries! A fascinating mystery that continually abides, no matter how much we may think we know.
We still have a great deal to learn about what people were doing and why they kept moving and re-positioning huge slabs of rock over 3000 years ago in the British Isles. So much effort and labor, extending over centuries! A fascinating mystery that continually abides, no matter how much we may think we know.
September 3, 2013
I would rate this book as one mainly for someone who has a very strong interest in Stonehenge. It's a very readable book, but it goes into heavy detail about the various excavations and the findings of each. If you can maintain your interest level through all this minute detail, there's interesting information about the history of Stonehenge and other henges throughout England and Scotland. And the sketches and drawings, of which there are quite a few, helped in envisioning what has occurred there at various points in time. What is amazing it that any of it survived at all, since so much of the land was re-used over the centuries and it's previous uses forgotten by succeeding generations.
November 4, 2014
Got the Kindle edition after watching the National Geographic special on the Stonehenge Riverside Project, and love reading the science behind the story. This book is world-class heritage interpretation, and Mike Parker Pearson is a delightfully lucid and capable writer and an unassuming giant on whose shoulders the next generation of archaeology will stand.
Postscript: bought the hardback edition at Stonehenge itself. What a difference to see the stones in context as one landmark in a rich ritual landscape.
Postscript: bought the hardback edition at Stonehenge itself. What a difference to see the stones in context as one landmark in a rich ritual landscape.
September 16, 2018
Over the last months I enjoyed watching all the Time Team series and that is where I came across the Stonehenge digs. My interest in prehistoric civilizations was once more triggered and I just had to dig a little bit deeper.
The write up of the big Riverside Stonehenge Project by Mike Parker Pearson was a pleasant and interesting read. I would have loved for him to go even into more details and of the "why" but it already leaves you with a very thorough account of what Stonehenge is and much much more.
The write up of the big Riverside Stonehenge Project by Mike Parker Pearson was a pleasant and interesting read. I would have loved for him to go even into more details and of the "why" but it already leaves you with a very thorough account of what Stonehenge is and much much more.
October 17, 2012
An excellent book about the latest official excavations at Stonehenge and Durrington walls. The author doesn't get too technical so it's an easy read for beginners.
November 9, 2012
Best book on Stonehenge. I have read by far. Well worth a read, if you want to know about the latest evidence on the stones.
March 16, 2013
Fascinating subject. Very readable.
December 25, 2015
On of the best books I read about Stonehenge. By an archaeologist, not by ad druid.
Read
October 26, 2015A bit dry and complex but interesting all the same and I learnt a lot.
Want to read
July 23, 2012Please hurry and release it in the US! :(
March 30, 2017
Describing the archaeology around Stonehenge, putting the stones in context with the landscape around it. Fascinating to read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews