Stonehenge is one of the most famous ancient monuments in the world and its solar alignment is one of its most important features. Yet although archaeologists have learned a huge amount about this iconic monument and its development, a sense of mystery continues about its purpose. This helps fuel numerous theories and common misconceptions, particularly concerning its relationship to the sky and the heavenly bodies. A desire to cut through this confusion was the inspiration for this book, and it fills a gaping hole in the existing literature.

Stonehenge: Sighting the Sun provides both an introduction to Stonehenge and its landscape and an introduction to archaeoastronomy – the study of how ancient peoples understood phenomena in the sky, and what role the sky played in their cultures. Archaeoastronomy is a specialism critical to explaining the relationship of Stonehenge and nearby monuments to the heavens, but interpreting archaeoastronomical evidence has often proved highly controversial in the past. Stonehenge: Sighting the Sun explains why. It makes clear which ideas about Stonehenge are generally accepted and which are not, with clear graphics to explain complicated concepts.

The launch

Stonehenge: Sighting the Sun was launched on May 8 at a special day-conference on “Preserving the Cultural Skyscape” held at the National Space Centre in Leicester. Huge thanks are due to the co-orgainsers Amy Arden and Elizabeth Freestone. Picture © Colin Brooks

Review quotes

“This is simply the best book on the astronomical alignments of Stonehenge yet written, and also an excellent, easy and erudite, overview of the state of our knowledge of prehistoric European astronomy in general.” Ronald Hutton, Professor of History, University of Bristol and former Commissioner of English Heritage

“This is a fantastic addition to the literature on Stonehenge. At last we have a book bringing together archaeology and astronomy that is accessible to a general audience but not full of wacky ideas. Whether you are more interested in stones or stars, either way this is a must-read.” Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, presenter of TV’s “The Sky at Night” and Chancellor of the University of Leicester

“This is definitely the book I wish I could have read before I began to ask questions related to archaeoastronomy. It will encourage me to take infinitely more interest in the heavenly bodies; to look up more often when as an archaeologist I instinctively look down.” Phil Harding, presenter of TV’s “Time Team”

Ordering

Stonehenge: Sighting the Sun is available in hardback and as an e-book. Copies may be ordered at a discounted price of £32.00 from the Liverpool University Press website.

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