How accurate can historical research expect to be? If civilization was wiped out right now, what would future people find out about our values? Maybe not much of our daily lives would remain—smashed televisions, tiny tablet phones, CD's, toys, broken bricks.
With a writing partner, I've written books set in post-apocalyptic Britain, where the characters find the occasional artifact and try to work out what purpose it served. You can find them at the bottom of the page. Back to historical research, rather than fiction.
With a writing partner, I've written books set in post-apocalyptic Britain, where the characters find the occasional artifact and try to work out what purpose it served. You can find them at the bottom of the page. Back to historical research, rather than fiction.
In Britain, a new investigation has begun on Stonehenge in the English county of Wiltshire, north of Salisbury, which points to Stonehenge being a mass building project rather than a religious site. Thousands of people assembled from as far away as the tip of Scotland to help build the site. Their findings have overturned what was thought about the origins of the monument. Until now it had been thought that Stonehenge was built as an astronomical calendar or observatory.
The latest findings, which came after a decade of research, suggested the act of building the monument rather than its purpose was significant. The researchers believed as many as 4,000 people gathered at the site, at a time when Britain's population was only tens of thousands.
The academics suggested that Stonehenge was built about 200 years earlier than previously thought, some 4,500 years ago.
The latest findings, which came after a decade of research, suggested the act of building the monument rather than its purpose was significant. The researchers believed as many as 4,000 people gathered at the site, at a time when Britain's population was only tens of thousands.
The academics suggested that Stonehenge was built about 200 years earlier than previously thought, some 4,500 years ago.
Last December, on the shortest day of the Northern Hemisphere, more than 5,000 people including Druids and pagans gathered at Stonehenge to celebrate the winter solstice. English Heritage provided access to the stones earlier in the morning. The important early monument attracts around 900,000 visitors a year. About 70% come from abroad.
Close by, Archaeologists have excavated the outlines of houses on the floors of box beds and wooden dressers or cupboards. The Sheffield University researcher said this was based on the fact that these abodes had exactly the same layout as Neolithic houses at Skara Brae, Orkney, which have survived intact because—unlike these dwellings—they were made of stone.
Close by, Archaeologists have excavated the outlines of houses on the floors of box beds and wooden dressers or cupboards. The Sheffield University researcher said this was based on the fact that these abodes had exactly the same layout as Neolithic houses at Skara Brae, Orkney, which have survived intact because—unlike these dwellings—they were made of stone.
In a settlement at nearby Durrington Walls, about 1,000 homes have been estimated to exist, the largest Neolithic settlement in the whole of northern Europe. Each one measured about 5m (16ft) square, was made of timber, with a clay floor and central hearth. The archaeologists found 4,600-year-old rubbish covering the floors of the houses.
A prototype Neolithic house will be erected at Old Sarum in early 2013 close to Stonehenge. Using authentic materials, the prehistoric homes will be based on those excavated at Durrington Walls. The contractor will be working with volunteers, using Neolithic building techniques and materials which hopefully will have been collected from the local area.
A prototype Neolithic house will be erected at Old Sarum in early 2013 close to Stonehenge. Using authentic materials, the prehistoric homes will be based on those excavated at Durrington Walls. The contractor will be working with volunteers, using Neolithic building techniques and materials which hopefully will have been collected from the local area.
I'm so privileged to have visited the Stonehenge monument about five years ago and to walk around the wooden pathway surrounding the stones. It's awe-inspiring to realize how much time has passed since it was erected.
Later that day, my husband and I strolled around Old Sarum and learned the history of the old fort. The mighty Iron Age hill fort was where the first Salisbury cathedral once stood and the Romans, Normans and Saxons have all left their mark. I highly recommend the novel Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd. A masterpiece that is breathtaking in its scope, SARUM in epic novel that traces the entire turbulent course of English history. This rich tapesty weaves a compelling saga of five families who preserve their own particular characteristics over the centuries, and offer a fascinating glimpse into the future.
Later that day, my husband and I strolled around Old Sarum and learned the history of the old fort. The mighty Iron Age hill fort was where the first Salisbury cathedral once stood and the Romans, Normans and Saxons have all left their mark. I highly recommend the novel Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd. A masterpiece that is breathtaking in its scope, SARUM in epic novel that traces the entire turbulent course of English history. This rich tapesty weaves a compelling saga of five families who preserve their own particular characteristics over the centuries, and offer a fascinating glimpse into the future.
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