Stonehenge : A New Interpretation of Prehistoric Man and the Cosmos

by John North

North has spent 15 years studying Stonehenge, the great ancient stone monument on Salisbury Plain in southern England. He brings a fresh interpretation which conclusively solves the riddle of Stonehenge. He reveals the religious purpose enshrined in the ancient earthworks. He irrefutably shows that they were directed at the heavens in a scientific way -- in the earliest cases, to the risings & settings of the stars &, later, to those of the Sun & Moon. His extensive research counters received wisdom, including that Stonehenge was dedicated to observation not of the rising midsummer sun but of the setting midwinter sun. Photos.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Science

609 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

John David North, FBA (19 May 1934 – 31 October 2008) was an historian of science, whose speciality was the history of astronomy and cosmology, publishing strikingly original interpretations of Chaucer, Holbein and Richard of Wallingford as well as numerous works on archaeology, literature and art. He was appointed Librarian and Assistant Curator at the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, 1968-77, and served as Professor of History of Philosophy and the Exact Sciences at the University of Groningen, Netherlands, 1977-1999.

Reviews

[Cary Kostka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite the in depth read. Very fascinating and informative, but note that this will be only for those interested in the Stonehenge monument in very granular detail.

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thi was a major work on angles and post hole depths, ect about not only Stonehenge but other neolithic structures in Britain. Unfortonatwely a little too deep for me, but I enjoyed the discussions about potential religious beliefs drawn from the monuments with the undertanding that we can never really know exactly whagt they believed.

[Zjay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very comprehensive analysis of the building of Stonehenge. Has researched all the theories and has looked at the mountain of information. Explains the astronomical orientations and purposes of the various stones.