History's Greatest Mysteries: Stonehenge

*Includes pictures of Stonehenge and important people and events in its history. *Discusses the theories about its age, construction, and purpose. *Covers the archaeological and cultural history of the site as a place for science, religion and folklore. *Includes a Bibliography. "The interest that has always attached itself to Stonehenge has, without doubt, been in a great measure due to the mystery as to the origin of this unique monument of bygone time." - H.P. Blackmore, 1916. For centuries, professional historians have labored through the painstaking task of documenting history as accurately as possible, but even with modern technology, archaeology, and records, some questions have eluded attempts to answer them. From the origins of Atlantis to the Lost Colony of Roanoke, the mysteries behind some of history's most famous people and events have fascinated countless generations. In Charles River Editors' History's Greatest Mysteries series, readers can discover the known, the unknown, and the possible answers to history's most enduring questions in the time it takes to finish a commute, while learning interesting facts long forgotten or never known. On the Salisbury Plain, only a few hours from the hustle and bustle of Central London lies one of the greatest surviving relics of humanity's ancient past: the mighty stone circle of Stonehenge. Stonehenge is one of the most well-known ancient sites in the world, and an image of it raises numerous associations and emotional responses. Its impressiveness comes not only from its size and remarkable level of preservation, but moreso because of the incredible precision with which it was constructed during an era of simple technology and social organization. Obviously, it is a place of great importance-then and now. Despite its placid, changeless appearance, Stonehenge has been a place of political, ideological and religious struggle for centuries. From the vigorous debates of 19th century theorists to the all-night dance parties of the 1980s, the history and legacy of Stonehenge is as much about the desires and fears of the people of modern Britain as it is about the ancients. Stonehenge has belonged to all of Britain's people since its construction began roughly 5,000 years ago, and they have all added to its unfolding story. Of course, Stonehenge has long fascinated the rest of the world too, as people continue to try to understand every aspect of the site and the underlying purpose of it. This involves an understanding of why Stonehenge is located where it is, what the materials consist of, and what archaeology has uncovered about the people who built it. On top of that, Stonehenge is a center of mythology and folklore that has evolved over time, establishing the foundation for a unique spiritual belief system that both celebrates Stonehenge as a "living temple" and challenges the official guardians of the place. History's Greatest Mysteries: Stonehenge comprehensively covers the facts, mysteries, and theories surrounding the ancient megalith. Readers will understand Stonehenge from all dimensions: as a physical place, an object of scholarly study, a site of ecstatic worship, a "must see" world-class tourist destination and a simultaneous icon of both history and counterculture. Along with pictures and a bibliography, you will learn about Stonehenge like you never have before, in no time at all.