A Brief History of Stonehenge

In A Brief History of Stonehenge, renowned archaeologist Aubrey Burl offers a concise yet deeply researched exploration of the world’s most famous stone circle. Re-examining long-held assumptions, Burl presents new interpretations of Stonehenge’s origins and purpose. He argues that the Heel Stone predates the monument itself, originally serving as a prehistoric trackway marker, and explores the possibility that the Welsh bluestones were transported by glacial movement rather than human effort. He also investigates cultural connections between Stonehenge and Breton funerary traditions.

Burl carefully reassesses Stonehenge’s astronomical alignments, clarifying misconceptions about its relationship to the midsummer sunrise and uncovering lesser-known lunar and midwinter alignments. Set within a vast prehistoric funerary landscape, Stonehenge remains a site of mystery and debate. With scholarly precision and accessible writing, this volume provides readers with an updated and thought-provoking account of one of the world’s greatest archaeological wonders.

Paperback, Very Good