The Circles of Stone: Stonehenge and Prehistoric Japan exhibition at Stonehenge closes on 3rd September following a year in which great numbers of visitors have encountered Jomon archaeology for the first time. This talk will review the process of putting the exhibition together, and consider the points of comparison between British stone circles and their Japanese counterparts. We will touch on the construction and significance of these monuments in prehistoric societies, their possible astronomical roles, and current thinking about the importance of ceremonial in the Jomon period.

About the Speaker

Simon Kaner MA Cantab, PhD (2004) is an archaeologist specialising in the prehistory of Japan. As well as being Executive Director since 2018, he is Head of the Centre for Archaeology and Heritage at the Sainsbury Institute. Simon is also is Director of the Centre for Japanese Studies and Chair of the Japan Dialogue Group at the University of East Anglia. Amongst other projects, he has most recently co-curated the exhibition Circles of Stone: Stonehenge and Prehistoric Japan. .