Science and Stonehenge, Barry Cunliffe and Colin Renfrew (ed.), Proceedings of the British Academy, 92, Oxford University Press, 1997, ISBN 0 19 726174 4, hardback, 362 pp., £29.50.

Stonehenge, and British megaliths in general, continue to attract publishers. This collection of papers edited by Barry Cunliffe and Colin Renfrew ranges widely over the available material, dealing with the monument’s cultural context, engineering and, important for studies of cultural astronomy, contemporary popular significance. The origin of the bluestones is discussed, and J.D. Scourse concludes that human transport, not glaciation, is the only answer (p. 281). Clive Ruggles discusses the evidence for astronomical intent and alignment, and concludes that ‘astronomical considerations should inform phenomenological studies’ (p. 227). The book concludes with a useful section by G.J.Wainwright setting out possible future directions for study.