Charmed Circle: Stonehenge, Contemporary Paganism, and Alternative Archaeology

Stonehenge's ritual significance, rooted in prehistoric cosmological principles and solar alignment, is reinterpreted through the lens of contemporary paganism. While mainstream archaeology views Stonehenge as a complex Neolithic monument tied to seasonal cycles, modern Druidry—recognized as a religion in the UK since 2010—offers an alternative narrative, often clashing with academic interpretations. This study contrasts these perspectives, highlighting tensions between 'invented traditions' and postmodern archaeological theories that embrace vernacular interpretations. It reveals how Stonehenge serves as both a physical monument and a symbolic battleground for competing narratives of heritage, religion, and identity in the 21st century.

Cusack, C. M. (2012). Charmed Circle: Stonehenge, Contemporary Paganism, and Alternative Archaeology. Numen, 59(2-3), 138–155. https://doi.org/10.1163/156852712x630752