Stonehenge: New Discoveries
Thursday, February 16, 2012 – 7:00pm College of Charleston, Simons Center for the Arts, Room 309 Dr. Parker Pearson
Stonehenge is one of the great mysteries of the prehistoric world. After seven years of new excavations and research, archaeologists now have a completely new understanding of the date and purpose of this enigmatic monument. One of the key break-through has been to understand how Stonehenge formed part of a wider complex of monuments and landscape features within Salisbury Plain. Professor Parker Pearson will present the results of the Stonehenge Riverside Project, and discuss the current theories about Stonehenge – an astronomical observatory, a centre of healing or a place of the ancestors – and the identity of its Neolithic builders.
We now know much more about the people who built Stonehenge – where they came from, how they lived, and how they were organized. Not only has the project discovered a large settlement of many houses, thought to be for Stonehenge’s builders, at the nearby henge enclosure of Durrington Walls but it has also re-dated Stonehenge and investigated its surrounding monuments and sites, many of which were hitherto undated and unknown. This presentation will provide a brief overview of some of the project’s highlights, including the recent discovery of Bluestonehenge. One of the greatest mysteries – why some of Stonehenge’s stones were brought from 180 miles away – is currently being investigated and its brand new results will be presented at the lecture.
Kolb Site
March 10, 2012 – 9:00am until 4:00pm
Last year we took an overnight trip to Darlington to visit the Kolb Site. This year we are planning on going and joining the dig for a few days.
However, they have an amazing Public Day on March 10th which is worth the rutted entrance road.
Joining the dig?!? Now that’s what I call ‘going out’! What an impressive opportunity!
Some of the folks involved have Montessori kids and understand how they are a little different.