Stonehenge Riverside Project
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Archaeology
Abstract
Stonehenge is a mystery for modem times but we may be closer than ever to revealing its purposes. This project aims to develop new interpretations of this internationally famous monument through analysis of its chronological and spatial relationships with other monuments and features in its landscape. Within an integrated programme of landscape study and excavation, the project explores the local and regional context of Stonehenge, dating key phases, and providing new perspectives on prehistoric Britain. This is a pivotal moment in the appreciation of this landscape when new interpretations can transform public engagement with this locality and its prehistory.
Publications
Pitts M
(2015)
A year at Stonehenge
in Antiquity
M Parker Pearson (Author)
(2010)
Bluestonehenge: landscape of ancestors
in British Archaeology
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Mike Parker Pearson (Author)
(2009)
Britannica Online Encyclopaedia
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| Title | Art+Archaeology |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Description | Stonehenge is one of the iconic monuments of the world, inspiring substantial public interest and generating multiple archaeological interpretations. One of the unexpected outcomes of my project in Madagascar was a new perspective on Stonehenge and Neolithic monumentality. This led to the development of a major field project in 2003, the Stonehenge Riverside Project, funded by AHRC, the British Academy and the National Geographic Society among others, investigating Stonehenge within its wider landscape, especially the role of the River Avon in linking it with contemporary monuments at Woodhenge and Durrington Walls. The Stonehenge Riverside Project began in 2003 with investigations of Britain's largest henge, Durrington Walls, less than 2 miles from Stonehenge. Over the next four seasons we uncovered remains of Neolithic houses dating to the same period as Stonehenge's second stage of construction, around 2500 BC. We realized that this huge settlement was probably where the builders lived when putting up the huge stones at Stonehenge. We also found that Durrington Walls has its own solstice-aligned avenue leading to the River Avon. Another surprise was that, where Stonehenge's prehistoric avenue meets the river, there lies a long since dismantled stone circle, 'Bluestonehenge'. As PI and project manager, I co-ordinate a large multi-disciplinary team whose other directors are Prof. Colin Richards and Prof. Julian Thomas (Manchester University), Dr. Josh Pollard (Southampton University), Prof. Chris Tilley (UCL) and Dr. Kate Welham (Bournemouth University). The high quality of results from SRP led me to initiate a new project, Feeding Stonehenge (AHRC-funded), on which I was joined by CI's Dr. Umberto Albarella (Sheffield), Prof. Jane Evans (BGS) and Dr. Oliver Craig (York). This has focused on the resourcing of Stonehenge's construction, including the study of livestock mobility through isotopic analysis, culinary practices from lipid analysis of ceramic residues, and seasonality. I was also PI on Stonehenge-under-the-Earth (Google-funded), a project managed by Dr. Welham to provide a Google Earth application of our research results to the public, launched on the web in 2011. Since 2011 I have also been leading the Stones of Stonehenge Project, to investigate the sources of the Stonehenge monoliths in Wales and north Wiltshire. Since starting research in 2003, our results have revolutionised our understanding of Stonehenge and have made a major contribution to knowledge of the Neolithic. |
| Exploitation Route | The project was the subject of two American and two British TV documentaries. It also received worldwide publicity in newspapers, television items and web interest. The results have been incorporated into the new Stonehenge Visitor Centre, opened in 2013 and attracting over 1 million visitors p.a. |
| Sectors | Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Other |
| URL | http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/research/directory/feeding-stonehenge-parkerpearson |
| Description | For exhibitions in new Stonehenge visitor centre |
| Sector | Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Retail |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Economic |
| Description | AHRC Follow-on funding for Impact and Engagement |
| Amount | £75,979 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | AH/R005621/1 |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2017 |
| End | 11/2018 |
| Description | Google under-the-earth: seeing beneath Stonehenge |
| Amount | £22,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 05/2009 |
| End | 06/2011 |
| Description | Stonehenge and the stones of Stonehenge |
| Amount | £82,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | National Geographic |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 08/2006 |
| End | 05/2016 |
| Description | Consuming Prehistory: Feeding Stonehenge follow-on fund |
| Organisation | Cardiff University |
| Department | School of History, Archaeology and Religion |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | To make the research results of the AHRC funded 'Feeding Stonehenge' project relevant to new audiences by focusing on food. In collaboration with English Heritage, we have a project that provides us with unparalleled access to Stonehenge as a focus for knowledge exchange and engagement and will see us bring new local, national and international audiences to our research. We are increasing the volume of engagement by national and international audiences at Stonehenge, and creating and delivering workshops to engage national audiences. |
| Collaborator Contribution | To make the research results of the AHRC funded 'Feeding Stonehenge' project relevant to new audiences by focusing on food. In collaboration with English Heritage, we have a project that provides us with unparalleled access to Stonehenge as a focus for knowledge exchange and engagement and will see us bring new local, national and international audiences to our research. We are increasing the volume of engagement by national and international audiences at Stonehenge, and creating and delivering workshops to engage national audiences. |
| Impact | Temporary exhibition at the Stonehenge visitor centre in 2017-2019. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Consuming Prehistory: Feeding Stonehenge follow-on fund |
| Organisation | University of York |
| Department | Department of Archaeology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | To make the research results of the AHRC funded 'Feeding Stonehenge' project relevant to new audiences by focusing on food. In collaboration with English Heritage, we have a project that provides us with unparalleled access to Stonehenge as a focus for knowledge exchange and engagement and will see us bring new local, national and international audiences to our research. We are increasing the volume of engagement by national and international audiences at Stonehenge, and creating and delivering workshops to engage national audiences. |
| Collaborator Contribution | To make the research results of the AHRC funded 'Feeding Stonehenge' project relevant to new audiences by focusing on food. In collaboration with English Heritage, we have a project that provides us with unparalleled access to Stonehenge as a focus for knowledge exchange and engagement and will see us bring new local, national and international audiences to our research. We are increasing the volume of engagement by national and international audiences at Stonehenge, and creating and delivering workshops to engage national audiences. |
| Impact | Temporary exhibition at the Stonehenge visitor centre in 2017-2019. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Projects ? collaborative - Stonehenge Riverside Project (AHRC-funded) |
| Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Information taken from Final Report |
| Title | Google under-the-earth: seeing beneath Stonehenge. |
| Description | Web access to Stonehenge discoveries by AHRC-funded project |
| Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
| Year Produced | 2011 |
| Impact | Popular website for Stonehenge enthusiasts |
| URL | http://microsites.bournemouth.ac.uk/seeing-beneath-stonehenge/ |
| Description | A History of Ancient Britain TV mini-series |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TV miniseries viewed by over 1 million |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Archaeological Institute of America's 2011-2012 Samuel H. Kress Lecturer in Ancient Art - lecture tour of US & Canada |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Over 1000 people attended the lectures at 14 venues across North America |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | International lecture tour of Canada, US, Belgium and Ireland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Lecture tour on results of AHRC-funded Stonehenge research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Journey to Stonehenge, Time Team Special, C4 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This TV documentary was viewed by well over 1 million people. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | Pre-2006 |
| Description | Lecture tour of Germany, Sweden, Netherlands and Portugal |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Lectures, keynote addresses and conference papers on AHRC-funded Stonehenge research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Lecture tour of Spain, Netherlands, Denmark, Turkey, Ireland, Canada and US |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Lectures on AHRC-funded Stonehenge research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | Lecture tour of US and Australia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Lectures on AHRC-funded Stonehenge research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007 |
| Description | Lecture tour of US, Denmark, Ireland, Germany & Mexico |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Lectures, day schools and UNESCO committee meetings to present AHRC-funded Stonehenge research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Lecture tour of US, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and Spain |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Lectures on AHRC-funded Stonehenge and Beaker People research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | Lecture tour of US, Sweden, Germany, Spain and South Korea |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Lectures on AHRC-funded Stonehenge and Beaker People research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| Description | Richard & Judy TV show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TV interview on 'Richard & Judy' to over 3 million viewers |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007 |
| Description | Secrets of the Stonehenge Skeletons, Oxford Scientific Films, C4 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This has been broadcast to well over 1 million in the UK and Europe |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Stonehenge Live, C5 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This was viewed by over 500,000 people |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | Pre-2006 |
| Description | Stonehenge through the ages, BBC4 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This TV documentary was watched by well over 100,000 viewers |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Stonehenge, CNN live |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This extended news item was viewed by over 1 million people |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007 |
| Description | Stonehenge, Nova Productions, PBC |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This US-made documentary was broadcast around the world to over 1 million viewers |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | Stonehenge. Olympic coverage, CNN |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This mini-documentary was part of a programme on the run-up to the Olympics |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Stonehenge: ancient mysteries, ABC |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This mini documentary was viewed worldwide by over 1 million |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | TV documentary by National Geographic |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This documentary reached an estimated audience of over 10 million worldwide |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| Description | The road to Stonehenge, Time Team Special, C4 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This TV documentary was watched by over 1 million viewers |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| Description | UNESCO conference (Malaga) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | UNESCO world heritage of megaliths committee, based on AHRC-funded Stonehenge research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| Description | Walking through History TV documentary |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TV documentary viewed by over 1 million |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |