Brian Edwards explores the mystery of the barber-surgeon, the fourteenth-century skeleton found beneath a stone at Avebury megalith. Edwards recounts the discovery by archaeologist Alexander Keiller and considers how Keiller’s background may have influenced what would become the dominant narrative about the identity of this mysterious character. The article introduces other potential identities of the barber-surgeon, based on texts about the Avebury Stones that were not available when the original conclusion was drawn. Even with this new evidence, the story of the skeleton is no less tantalizing.
Tag: Alexander Keiller
Changing Avebury
In this article, Brian Edwards follow the heritage timeline of Avebury, as well as incorporate the efforts of the heritage authorities to cash in and further popularise the history of Stonehenge and the surrounding area. The timeline stems from John Aubrey introducing Charles II to Avebury in 1663, to the impact that the Five Mile Act had on the surrounding environment.
Avebury Film Discovery
By Brian Edwards, Issue 6, Autumn/Winter, pp.5-7. In 1999, an interwar film of Avebury surfaced, which includes unique footage of Alexander Keiller’s attempt to reconstruct the great Neolithic complex during the 1930s. The film came to light following a co-operation between Avebury residents to produce an exhibition of Avebury in old photographs as part of the village Millennium celebrations. This article covers the discovery of this film, which supports Brian… Continue reading Avebury Film Discovery