Aeschylus

When I visited Stonehenge I was tempted and bought this book from the shop.

Synopsis:

More than 30 years ago on the remote plains of southern Alberta, Canada, scientist Gordon Freeman discovered a Sun Temple. His study of the site led him to find incredible similarities to Stonehenge. Canada’s Stonehenge not only predates England’s Stonehenge by about 800 years, but also predates Egypt’s pyramids. Freeman discovers that 5000 years ago Britons and Plains Indians made precise astronomical observations at these two sites halfway around the world from each other at nearly the same latitude.

In his 30-year quest to understand these two sites, Gordon Freeman has measured, photographed and made many recordings of Sun rises and sets through the Stonehenge structure. He discovered a complete solar calendar, the same calendar as the 5200-year-old one in Canada. The observer does not stand within Stonehenge Circle, watching the Sun rise and set through the relatively large gaps between the Stones. He stands outside the Circle, observing the dates on which the first and last flashes of the rising and setting Sun cross lines marked by narrow slits that cross the entire stone structure. Freeman finds the artistry of the calendrical construction astonishing.

Review:

I found the book fascinating. The author reveals unexpected astronomical alignments between the stones and the manmade features in the wider landscape, including alignments with the mysterious cursus which allowed me to view that feature in a new light. As mentioned in the title the author’s journey started at a North American site, familiar to him. His journey took him to Stonehenge and other sites including Newgrange and the Preseli Mountains where the bluestones of Stonehenge originated. His findings at the various sites make interesting reading.

The book is beautifully illustrated with photographs and maps illustrating his findings.