APRIL 5 - Stagger out of bed and race to the British Museum. Would like to see everything there but our main goal is to see a temporary exhibit entitled “The World of Stonehenge”. It follows this famous archaeological site from the first construction in about 5000 BCE to about 500 BCE. There is also a great deal of discussion about related sites in the British Iles, as well as chronologically associated artifacts from northern Europe.
There are a few main points I gathered from the exhibit, regarding the arc of British pre-history. First is that Stonehenge (along with similar sites) probably started out as the destination of holy pilgrimages and generated awe due to their monumental size and magical nature (the monument axis lining up with the rising midsummer and setting midwinter sun). However, over time they appear to have become simply sacred places that were thought to be auspicious for burials. In other words, people originally gazed upon them in mystical wonder, as the workmanship was unmatched in the world known to them. However, as trade with the continent increased and skills like metalworking, along with the appearance of gold, altered people’s perception of what was necessary to generate a sense of religious awe. If some powerful individual could wear an intricately carved gold pendant that appeared to emanate the rays of the sun, it diminished the appeal of a stone structure out in a field.
The British Museum is huge and impossible to adequately view in one day. Below are photos of a few random exhibits we saw while wandering through.
We saw plenty more, after which we ate nearby and headed down toward the Thames. Out at the Victoria Embankment Gardens and across the river, close to where the the London Eye sits.
Back across on another bridge, this one passing directly by Big Ben.
Pick up some shawarma and chicken sandwiches for dinner. Really have not been spending very much on food.
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