Hawkins' Way: Rembembering Astronomer Gerald S. Hawkins

Abstract

Gerald Hawkins, who rose to fame in the 1960s as the author of Stonehenge Decoded, was due to have been a keynote speaker at the INSAP IV conference. As preparations were being made for the conference, the sad news was received that he had passed away, on his farm in Virginia. Stonehenge Decoded and other publications played a seminal role in defining the study of prehistoric astronomy and bringing that study to wider critical attention. He was fortunate to have lived long enough to see others take up the challenge of decoding human intellect embedded in ancient architecture. He was particularly interested in proposals for English Heritage's plans for a new Stonehenge Visitor Centre. The following tribute was prepared by his friend and colleague, Hubert A. Allen.