具体描述
This volume reports on the archaeological works undertaken between 1998 and 2003 as part of the A303 Stonehenge Improvement highway scheme promoted by the Highways Agency. The A303 trunk road and the A344 which pass Stonehenge are widely agreed to have a detrimental effext on its setting and on other archaeological features within the World Heritage Site. Around Stonehenge there is noise and visual intrusion from traffic and also air pollution. Each year nearly one million people visit the World Heritage Site and surroundings, using visitor facilities intended to cater for a much smaller number. Many plans that might improve this situation have been examined, involving partnership working across many organisations. Common to all these has been the aim of removing traffic from the area of Stonehenge and at the same time addressing highways issues with regard to road capacity and safety. This volume sets out the objectives of the extensive programme of archaeological work that was undertaken to inform the planning of the highway scheme, the methods used, the results obtained, and to explain something of the significance of works which provided a 12 km transect across the WHS and beyond: the first of its kind ever undertaken.
Stonehenge Revealed: A Journey Through Time and Landscape This book is not about the specifics of archaeological work on a particular road improvement project. Instead, it embarks on a grand exploration of Stonehenge and its surrounding landscape, delving into the profound mysteries and captivating stories that have echoed through millennia. Prepare to be transported beyond the immediate concerns of modern infrastructure and into the heart of a ritualistic center that continues to fascinate and perplex. Our journey begins not with trowels and brushes, but with the very formation of the landscape itself. We will trace the geological forces that shaped the Salisbury Plain, understanding how the chalk downs and river valleys provided a stage for human endeavor. Then, we turn our attention to the earliest inhabitants, the hunter-gatherers who first walked these lands. Through careful analysis of fragmented evidence, we piece together their lives, their beliefs, and their connection to this nascent sacred space. Imagine their awe as they first contemplated the colossal stones, a phenomenon that must have seemed imbued with supernatural power. The true saga of Stonehenge, however, unfolds with the arrival of the Neolithic peoples. This book will meticulously explore the monumental effort involved in quarrying, transporting, and erecting the iconic sarsen stones and the distinctive bluestones. We will investigate the sophisticated engineering and organizational prowess required for such an undertaking, revealing the remarkable ingenuity of these ancient societies. Were these stones moved by sheer manpower, or did ingenious mechanical aids play a role? We will examine the prevailing theories, presenting the evidence that supports each, and inviting you to consider the scale of human cooperation and dedication. Beyond the physical construction, this book will immerse you in the symbolic and spiritual significance of Stonehenge. We will explore its astronomical alignments, demonstrating how the monument was intricately designed to track the solstices and equinoxes. Picture the rituals performed at dawn on the summer solstice, when the rising sun perfectly aligns with the Heel Stone, bathing the inner sanctuary in a golden light. This celestial connection speaks to a deep understanding of the cosmos and a desire to harmonize human existence with the natural rhythms of the universe. But Stonehenge was not an isolated monument. It was the focal point of a complex and interconnected ritual landscape. This book will guide you through the network of henges, cursus monuments, and other earthworks that radiated outwards from Stonehenge. We will explore the purpose and function of these associated structures, understanding them as integral parts of a larger ceremonial system. The Avenue, for instance, a grand processional way, suggests organized gatherings and processions, hinting at the social and religious importance of the site for vast numbers of people. The book will also delve into the evolution of Stonehenge, examining how its purpose and meaning may have shifted over its long history. From its initial construction as a burial ground to its later transformation into a monumental temple, we will trace the changes in its use and the evolving beliefs of the communities that venerated it. The presence of numerous burials within and around the monument underscores its profound connection to death and the afterlife, suggesting that it served as a place of communion with ancestors and the spiritual realm. We will consider the various archaeological interpretations that have been proposed over the centuries, from the Druidic myths of medieval times to the scientific investigations of modern archaeologists. Each theory, while perhaps not definitively proven, offers a glimpse into the enduring fascination that Stonehenge has held for humanity. We will discuss the challenges of interpreting such ancient sites, where direct written records are absent, and how archaeologists use inference, comparison, and scientific dating methods to construct plausible narratives. Finally, "Stonehenge Revealed" will leave you with a sense of wonder and a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of this extraordinary monument. It is a testament to human ambition, spiritual yearning, and our innate desire to connect with something larger than ourselves. This is not a dry academic treatise, but an invitation to embark on a captivating intellectual adventure, to walk the ancient paths, and to stand in awe of a creation that continues to speak to us across the vast expanse of time. It is a story of human ingenuity, profound belief, and the enduring power of place.
