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.
| ||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Review
'From 2003 to 2009, the archaeologist Mike Pearson led the Stonehenge Riverside Project that studied Stonehenge… His book is a detailed account of that archaeological survey, expressed in a genial style that invigorates the story of the groundwork' --Iain Finlayson, The Times
'The book describes one of the outstanding archaeological projects of recent years. It is accessible, original, carefully researched and important. But, above all, it is exciting' --Richard Bradley, Reading University
'The book describes one of the outstanding archaeological projects of recent years. It is accessible, original, carefully researched and important. But, above all, it is exciting' --Richard Bradley, Reading University
About the Author
Mike Parker Pearson is a Professor of Archaeology at Sheffield University. He is an internationally renowned expert in the archaeology of death and also specialises in the later prehistory of Britain and Northern Europe and the archaeology of Madagascar and the western Indian Ocean. He has published 14 books and over 100 academic papers.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By J. M. Morris
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having read other reviews of this book, I was unsure whether or not to buy it.
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.
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.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Firstly, I should state that I am no archaeologist, but I do hold a keen interest in Stonehenge and its people.
For me, this book is excellently written in a style that is authoritative, extremely informative, yet entertaining to read.
In fact, I polished it off in less than a week!
For me, this book is excellently written in a style that is authoritative, extremely informative, yet entertaining to read.
In fact, I polished it off in less than a week!
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Big Jim
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an interesting and very readable account of recent archaelogical discoveries at or near Stonehenge and the quarries in Wales and elsewhere connected with the stones. As such it doesn't pay much heed to any mystical connotations to the henge and instead concentrates on evidence gleaned from the new digs. The reason I would say get the book rather than the kindle edition is the large number of drawings, maps and plans don't reproduce well on the kindle and they are often integral to one's understanding of the material. I would also say that the author's unfussy style can't really extend the potential readership of this book beyond those interested in solid history and/or archaelogy so the lay reader may find some of this quite dull. The words solid and dependable apply to this book rather than exciting and exhilarating hence only 4 rather than 5 stars.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 5 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
This is the same book, pape for page, as his 'Stonehenge: Exploring...
Just a new dust cover on an old book (which I already have) not a new or even updated book. Complete waste of money - straight into the charity shop
Published 9 days ago by Joseph Alan Hine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stonehenge is not a henge
One may have thought that Stonehenge had attracted all the attention required to fill any gaps in its history, but one of the many stories to emerge from Mike Parker Pearson's... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mick Read
4.0 out of 5 stars
OK with reservations
A comprehensive summary of work of the Stonehenge Riverside Project in recent years. Somewhat heavy going for the un-initiated and a few descriptive diagrams could have helped... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ray(T)
2.0 out of 5 stars
Too much fantasy
This book is a profound disappointment. Written in a chatty style, and presumably aimed at the lay person with no specialist archaeological knowledge, it does serve to bring one... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Brian
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stonehenge Demystified
A great read and Parker-Pearsons "theories" have the ring of truth about them. This is book without doubt, the definitive word on Stonehenge, thus far, but you get the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Magnus Quad
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stonehenge
Mike P-P at his very best. Not only does this book bring us up to date with the latest thinking and research on the Stonehenge monumental landscape, his writing style is fluent,... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Dinkie_Eck
5.0 out of 5 stars
A terrific read
I have not read all of this terrific book. It is all that I wished it to be and more. I saw a TV show on Mike Pearson's search for the origins and the why's of Stonehenge that... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ronald Edwards
5.0 out of 5 stars
A superb read - worth every penny
Every age gets the Stonehenge it wants/deserves/needs.
There are many varying theories that have and are proposed for "why Stonehenge was built" and we are all entitled... Read more
There are many varying theories that have and are proposed for "why Stonehenge was built" and we are all entitled... Read more
Published 8 months ago by H. R. O'Neill
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best summary yet.
A very readable and comprehensive summary of the present state of knowledge about the Stonehenge ritual landscape, including the critically important work led recently by the... Read more
Published 8 months ago by N. Landon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stonehenge in its context, a new look at an old site
This new book on the most written-about ancient monument in the world is largely the result of a programme of archaeological investigation undertaken at and around the henge... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Greywolf
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
