Explore the mysteries of Stonehenge
The origins of the megalithic stones used to build Stonehenge and the lives of those who built it will be among topics discussed in a free public lecture tonight about one of the world's best known monuments.
Professor Mike Parker-Pearson, the eminent Stonehenge scholar from University College, London, will be delivering a public lecture tonight at the University of Sydney.
He is the author of the best-selling Stonehenge: Exploring the Greatest Stone Age Mystery (2012 London & New York: Simon & Schuster) and is a professor of British Later Prehistory at the Institute of Archaeology, University College, London.
Since 2003 Professor Parker-Pearson has headed a major investigation - the Stonehenge Riverside Project - to find out more about this mysterious stone circle.
Stonehenge is one of the world's best known but most enigmatic monuments. Many theories have been proposed about its purpose, to do with lost civilisations, ancient druids, prehistoric astronomers, ancient Egyptians and even extra-terrestrials.
Among the project's discoveries are a large settlement near Stonehenge, thought to be the builders' camp, a new stone circle 'bluestonehenge', and the remains of people buried at Stonehenge.
Recent scientific developments are now revealing new insights into the lives of the people who built Stonehenge, many of who travelled long distances from across Britain. Some of the megalithic stones were also brought long distances, from over a hundred miles away in Wales, and the study of where they came from is also shedding new light on the purpose of this remarkable structure. For more information visit Meograph on Rewriting Stonehenge's history.
Mike Parker-Pearson is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries London and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. He was named 2010 UK Archaeologist of the Year, and his is Director of the Stonehenge Riverside Project which was the 2010 UK Archaeological Research Project of the Year and which won the 2009 Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries Award. He has published extensively on the British Bronze Age and on the interpretation of Stonehenge, including books such as The Archaeology of Death and Burial (1999 Stroud: Sutton), Bronze Age Britain (2005 London: Batsford) and If Stones Could Speak: unlocking the secrets of Stonehenge (2010 Washington DC: National Geographic Society, with M. Aaronson).
Event details
When: 5pm, Monday 27 May
Where: Old Geology Lecture Theatre, Edgeworth David Building, Camperdown Campus
Cost: The lecture is free and open to the public
Contact: Professor Peter Hiscock
Provided by University of Sydney
