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A Timewatch Guide of Stonehenge

Thursday 28 January 2016
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For those who did not view the BBC's Stonehenge: A Timewatch Guide presented by Professor Alice Roberts, it is worth catching on the BBC iPlayer.

Alice Roberts

Using 70 years of BBC history archive film, Professor Alice Roberts uncovers how the iconic ancient monument of Stonehenge has been interpreted, argued over and debated by some of Britain's leading historians and archaeologists. She reveals how new discoveries would discredit old theories, how astronomers and geologists became involved in the story and why, even after centuries of study, there's still no definitive answer to the mystery of Stonehenge.

Editor's note: This conveys a really interesting evolution of our understanding of Stonehenge. And despite the succession of new theories - sometimes overlapping, sometimes not - there are still missing pieces in the puzzle. As one archaeologist freely admits, there is a "thicket of ideas that allows Stonehenge to remain enigmatic."

It is also fascinating to watch archaeologists, beginning with the compelling Richard Atkinson, argue over the 'purpose'. However, only one archaeologist suggests that just as with a cathedral today, which does not have a single purpose, this was probably the case with Stonehenge and the surrounding area. This multi-purpose approach is of value for other areas of investigation - rock art being one.

It is also worth watching to observe how we change, from clothing to interview techniques, from research tools to aspect ratios. The social and technical changes reflected over the 70 years of BBC coverage is symptomatic of the changes that went on at Stonehenge over time. Humanity is not static, Stonehenge - a product of humanity - was not either.

Visit the British Isles Prehistory Archive - Stonehenge: the Age of the Megaliths
http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/stonehenge/index.php

BBC iPlayer Stonehenge: A Timewatch Guide
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06z59g7/stonehenge-a-timewatch-guide

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