Joshua Pollard

The book contains an overview of the history of Avebury as seen through the eyes of the archaeologist. Covering the period from the time before the megalithic site of Avebury was even created to its contemporary status and struggles, Pollard and Giddings provide a fascinating account of the ancient and not-so-ancient history of this site.

Their story is always entertaining and a quite nice read, yet at the same time scientifically thorough and without unnecessary speculations. A vast bibliography accompanies the book for further reading or more in depth study.

The influential Alexander Keiller and William Stukeley, who both put Avebury on the map for posterity, are portrayed in quite an amusing but respectful way. More importantly, these portraits also shed a new and interesting light on their motives and personalities and the way these are echoed in the Avebury we perceive today.

Pollard and Gillings emphasize the inherent complexity of a monument such as Avebury, which is increased by the fragmentary and sometimes rudimentary knowledge we possess about its history, its role and even its make-up. Their view is that of a monument in which the process of creating it as an expression of communal activity was perhaps more important to its makers than its ultimate shape and design.

"Avebury" provides a contemporary and rather unbiased and factual look on the megalithic site of Avebury and its associated monuments. I personally would have liked to see a little bit more illustrations and photographs, but with this book it is clearly the content that counts. The various theories and interpretations about its role and purpose in Neolithic society are presented in a matter-of-fact way and largely left uncommented. The book is therefore highly recommended to those who are interested in the facts about Avebury, but prefer to make up their own mind about its significance.… (mere)