Towering above the Wiltshire countryside, Stonehenge is perhaps the world’s most awe-inspiring ancient stone circle.
Shrouded in layers of speculation and folklore, this iconic British monument has spurred myths and legends that persist today. Featuring in a special exhibition that ran from February – July 2022, the British Museum revealed the secrets of Stonehenge, shining a light on its purpose, cultural power and the people that created it.
The exhibit followed the story of Britain and Europe from 4000 to 1000 BC, focusing on the restless and highly connected age of Stonehenge – a period of immense transformation and radical ideas that changed society forever.
This talk will look at some of the human stories behind the stones as revealed through a variety of fascinating objects. Among these are stone axes from the North Italian Alps, stunning gold jewellery and astonishing examples of early metalwork including the Nebra Sky Disc – the world’s oldest surviving map of the stars. A remarkably preserved 4,000-year-old timber circle dubbed Seahenge also took centre stage in the show, on loan for the very first time. All these objects offer important clues about the beliefs, rituals, and complex worldview of Neolithic people, helping to build a vivid sense of life for Europe’s earliest ancestors.
Bio’s
Dr. Neil Wilkin is the Curator of Early Europe at the British Museum and was lead Curator of this exhibition
Dr Jennifer Wexler is the Project Curator on the World of Stonehenge exhibit and an independent researcher and consultant working as a field and museum archaeologist in the UK, Italy, Egypt, and the USA.
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