Customer Reviews

Solving Stonehenge: The Key to an Ancient Enigma

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Tony Johnson's book is a compelling read, not only for the millions of people who are intrigued with the enigma that is Stonehenge, but also for those who like a police procedural which pulls one into the author's thoughts and raises and answers questions as you go. Mr. Johnson starts and ends with the stones. He carefully reviews the historical literature about the site and then constructs his own computer generated plans from which he manages to explain how such a complex structure was made using only a peg and piece of rope. In so doing he removes the need to postulate some Neolithic measuring unit, and aside from the axis being aligned with the winter solstice, he does not need to invoke any complex and contrived astronomical patterns to explain the stones' positions. He places the monument in the context of the Neolithic Wiltshire landscape and makes a major and innovative breakthrough in explaining how Stonehenge was constructed by studying gold jewelry found in a nearby grave. The writing is clear, balanced and self analytical. At no time dose one feel he has an axe to grind - he simply looks at where the stones are or were and with Holmesian logic deduces how they were positioned. In the final chapter he does allow himself some speculation as to the possible purpose of the monument and I found it very satisfying - as I am sure you will when you read it.

Solving Stonehenge? Far from it.Yet,this book is an excellent look at the physical lay-out of the lithic arena.This book is a direct scientific record of the sleuthing researchers,who inquired into the true meaning of the ancient trilithons.Many great pictures,sketches,exploded diagrams,and drawings presented.New speculation suggests that Stonehenge was the final ceremonial spot for pre-historic deceased warriors,a portal for their journey into the great beyond.New evidence has uncovered housing structural outlines ,near the mysterious dolman monoliths.The truth may be that Stonehenge was a multi-purpose chapel.Used for farewell funerals,the closing of the agricultural year,and marking the shortest day of the solar year.A 'Wood-henge' may have been close-by for fertility rites of Spring,welcoming back the warmth of the Sun,and marking the longest solar day of June 21st.One question is answered here.The true enigma of the geometric bluestones,like the pyramids of Giza,will surely be argued for some time to come.

The only book I've ever read that really tells you something concrete about Stonehenge and the Stonehengers. A must.