Stonehenge: The Story of an Icon

For more than 4,500 years people have been drawn to a windswept plain at the heart of southern England where a circle of vast upright stones topped with massive lintels stands. Yet Stonehenge probably the most famous prehistoric monument in the world remains mysterious. Today, nearly one and a half million people a year come from across the world to see for themselves this silent icon of the ancient past. But what do we really know about the people who built it, why they did so, and what they did here among the stones? In the 18th century stories of Druids, of sacrifices and pagan worship emerged in the silence. How has our understanding of this complex site changed since then? Through spectacular new photography, historic images, artworks and a remarkable new reconstruction drawing, Susan Greaney tells the story of Stonehenge, its builders and the people whose lives have been touched by this awe-inspiring monument from earliest times to the present day. AUTHOR: Susan Greaney is Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Exeter, where she teaches a range of topics including prehistoric Europe, heritage, museums, public engagement and archaeological theory. Susan's research focuses on monuments, landscapes and societies of Neolithic and Early Bronze Age Britain and Ireland, with a particular interest in monument complexes and radiocarbon chronologies. Previously, Susan worked for English Heritage as Senior Properties Historian, researching and delivering major public interpretation projects, including the visitor centre and temporary exhibitions at Stonehenge. SELLING POINTS: . Includes specially commissioned, previously unpublished ground and aerial photography of Stonehenge and other prehistoric sites in the Stonehenge landscape as well as some of the most important artefacts from sites in the Stonehenge landscape, now held at museums in the area . Tells the complete story of Stonehenge from its prehistoric origins through to the present day, including the most up-to-date research on all aspects of its construction and the lives of the people who built it . Includes a newly commissioned four-page fold-out reconstruction of Stonehenge under construction . Special features address many of the themes of interest to visitors to Stonehenge, such as the cultural impact of Stonehenge, the significance of its solstice alignments, its importance as a World Heritage site and its relationship with Druids 175 colour, 26 b/w illustrations