Prehistoric Avebury
New Fully Revised Edition
Aubrey Burl
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Format: PaperPrice: $27.00
Out of Print
This magnificent book is a fascinating account of the prehistoric stone circles at Avebury, which not only date from an earlier era but are also larger than the more famous sarsen stone circle of Stonehenge. Written by a leading archaeologist, the book considers every aspect of Avebury’s history and construction and discusses the probable purpose of these massive structures, in the process creating a vivid and moving picture of their creators—a primitive people whose lives were brief, savage, and fearful.
"In this beautifully illustrated book, Aubrey Burl combines both archaeological and historical evidence to present an absorbing account of the mysterious stone monuments at Avebury and the life of the primitive people who erected them nearly 5000 years ago."—Publishers Weekly
"This beautifully illustrated book discusses Avebury today, where one can still wander among these fascinating stones, and relates the destruction of and excavations at this prehistoric site."—Science News
“This eminently readable book . . . is an account of both those who have studied Avebury in the past, and those who originally created the stone circles. The illustrations are superb. . . . Burl’s book brims with photographs of the site. . . . And it is laced with lively anecdotes and thrilling reconstructions of what life might have been like for the primitive people at Avebury. . . . Fabulous. If you only ever read one archaeology book, let it be this one.”—Wiltshire Times
“This masterly account of Britain’s largest stone circle is so thorough, intelligent and, above all, wonderfully readable. . . . This enthralling book is a worthy celebration.”—The Independent
"Sets a high standard in archeological writing for a lay audience."—Publishers Weekly
"The book probes the mysteries of Avebury. Burl describes the design and construction of Avebury's multiple circles and earthworks and takes the reader back nearly five thousand years to explore the lives and beliefs of those who built a monument 'equal to any of the noted wonders of the world.'"—Theodora Nelson and Andrea Gross, Good Books for the Curious Traveler Europe
". . . The book is spiced with gingery humor and beautifully illustrated. For the general reader, it is quite the best thing available on the relic. . . . "—Phoebe-Lou Adams, The Atlantic Monthly
"The photographs, many in color, are first-rate. One hopes this book will at last win for Avebury some of the attention lavished on Stonehenge."—John Barkham Reviews
"An account of the prehistoric cult temples of Avebury, once the wonder of antiquarians, now the site of archeological studies. . . . A fine set of pictures, some in color, show the circles next to their rural red-brick neighbors, pressing a connection between Avebury now and then."—Robert Kirsch, Los Angeles Times
"Well worth having, and with its splendid illustrations good value for money."—Jacquetta Hawkes, Washington Post Book World
“Burl applies his archaeological acumen and incisiveness to a more detailed study of the largest and most neglected of [the stone] circles—Avebury. Based on published research, parallels among contemporary primitive cultures, and his own work in the field, the author gives us a reconstruction of British civilization during the creation and golden age of Avebury and the reasons for its decline and fall. . . . A well-constructed and documented history that is one of the few extensive works available on Avebury. Recommended for general collections.”—Library Journal
Publication Date: May 11, 2002
80 b/w + 25 color illus.
