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Stonehenge and Other British Stone Monuments Astronomically Considered

by

Norman Lockyer

Published 1906, second edition 1909

The scientific study of the orientation of the remains of temples and other sites in the Middle East and Europe, including the pyramids of Egypt, began early last century. With his pioneering work on Stonehenge in the late 19th century Sir Norman Lockyer brought this and other megalithic monuments under scrutiny. 

From rock paintings to Stonehenge, from the calendars of the Babylonians, the Mayans and the Egyptians to the native North American medicine wheels, ancient peoples have left behind evidence of their concern with the movement of celestial bodies. The sun, the moon, and the stars always have been dominant features to the human world. 

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Sir Joseph Norman Lockyer, FRS (May 17, 1836 – August 16, 1920) was an English scientist and astronomer. Along with the French scientist Pierre Janssen he is credited with discovering the gas helium. ( named after 'Helios' the Greek name for the sun )  Lockyer also is remembered for being the founder and first editor of the influential journal Nature.

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