Very briefly, I won a Jones Scholarship to Monmouth School in Gwent, south Wales, in 1971, where I went on to study Latin, Greek and Ancient History. During the school holidays in the 1970s, I was lucky enough to work on the archaeological excavations that were taking place in my home town of Usk, which had formerly been the Roman legionary fortress of Burrium, established in 55 AD in a largely futile attempt to keep the Silures tribe of the region in their place.
Gwent-Glamorgan Archaeological Trust in Usk, 1979
From January 2000 until August 2003, I worked for Wessex Archaeology, an experience I’ll probably go into in far greater detail as and when it becomes relevant to my book.
I’ve regularly visited Stonehenge and the excavations undertaken by the Stonehenge Riverside Project, while for the last few years, I’ve worked on Eternal Idol, a site that concentrates almost exclusively on providing original information about Stonehenge. During that time, the media have run many stories about various pieces that I’ve written, and you can see a selection under Current Media Links on the right of the page.
I’m very pleased that so many journalists thought their readers would be interested by these stories, even if their publication occasionally arouses the resentment of some other archaeologists who seem to think that I should run what I write past them first and get their full approval, before I have the audacity to publish something that might interest non-archaeologists.
These reports are very gratifying, but I’m particularly proud of being invited to write a guest editorial on Stonehenge for the SETI League. This was an honour in itself, but to find my original writing on the same page as multiple contributions by the late, great Sir Arthur C. Clarke was the stuff that dreams are made of.
In November 2007, I was the last archaeologist allowed inside Silbury Hill before work began to seal this astonishing monument off forever. For this, I will be eternally grateful to Mark Kirkbride of Skanska for giving me permission to look over every inch of the inside of what is Britain’s only official pyramid, through the network of tunnels opened up by treasure-hunters, vandals and archaeologists over the centuries. The miners working for Skanska also took me into the ominous, crumbling voids that had appeared above the tunnel network, places where few had ever been. More people have stood on the surface of the Moon than have been this close to the burial place of King Zil, and long may he rest there, undisturbed.
After this, I continued working on Eternal Idol, while quietly investigating the subject matter for my book, which was commissioned by Hay House in 2008. For the foreseeable future, I’ll be posting up material that’s related to my book as well as continuing to work on further Stonehenge-related studies, and I’ll be putting up a new page listing forthcoming articles and personal appearances.
27 Responses to “Dennis Price”
hi matey..
some interesting bits in the above passages – good to see you albeit in photographs!
peter aka baron victor
O Dark One. I have heard the dark rumours of your roasted Parsnips. One day I may partake of your strange Druidic Manna.
“Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin … ”
(Reminds me of ‘Listen With Mother’.. lulling us into a false sense of reality.)
“O DARK ONE…”
(Grovel, grovel…)
“Would you recommend instant custard made with boiling water, or the old fashioned type with milk and sugar?” 
If anyone deserves to be Arch Druid of Stonehenge, YOU do, Dennis! But you might be too frightened of the stones to do it.
Thanks for the laugh. I take it your photo (you look the part!) was from your younger days, or are those two toads offspring from the ‘tadpoles’ you saved last summer?
(They look more like Archibald and Cyril to me.)
O Dark One writes: “While I’m not opposed to innovation, least of all in the culinary arts, the old ways are often the best. Having said that, the old way of making custard requires considerably more skill & application than the new-fangled means, so I would play to your strengths while at the same time aiming for the greatest possible achievement. I hope this brings you peace.”
O Dark One writes: “A properly roasted parsnip is quite possibly the non plus ultra of the culinary world. While I am honoured that you should seek to partake of my cuisine, it stands to reason that you must first prove yourself worthy. Being able to properly steam sprouts, then adding crispy breadcrumbs, slivers of garlic and a pleasing topping, consisting of the golden yolk of a hard-boiled egg forced through a sieve, will be the first test.”
O Dark One writes: “PS – the photo was taken in 1993 on the set of The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller, where I appeared alongside the late Christopher Reeve. The images taken on the astral plane were strangely blurred, but please don’t tell anyone or I’ll end up looking stupid.”
O Dark One, I heed your challenge and shall send you pictographs after The Mass of the Christ, whence it is applicable to eat the Sprout, for I too have the learnings of Delia of Smythe. Her magical concoctions are truly the works of the most dark of arts.
May my mouth forever blow on the hot onions of the gastronomicon…
‘O Grey One’ writes:
Had noticed the Astral Flying pic on Lethbridge thread and wondered,
‘How come Wales has turned into a mirror, and how did Dennis get up there with his bad shoulder?’
Or is it a Nazca-type outline? (What’s Welsh for ‘Nazca’, again??) …
Nazca hasn’t got a man shape, [has it?], so that’s one up for Wales.
O Dark One writes: “If ever a Goddess took human form and truly walked among us mere mortals, then it is Delia. ‘Nuff said.”
O Dark One, do you have any advice on the best way to cook crumpets? Mine are often disappointing and they look so much better in the adverts.
O Dark One writes: “I can only express a personal preference. I strongly feel that crumpets are at their best when cooked in a toaster, almost to the point of being burned. Take them out, let them cool for about 30 seconds, then add butter – that way, I find that you get a crunchy texture, warm foodstuff and the pleasing taste of melted butter as well. May you be at one with your chosen snacks.”
O Young One writes: “O Dark one, surely that is a ham fisted poaching of Delia of Smythe’s 1982 episode 14 of her show on crumpets and other breadstuffs? To have a mighty Druid of such emminence guilty of plagurism is truly dissapointing.”
O Dark One writes: “I make no claims to originality as far as traditional British fare is concerned, because I merely walk in the hallowed footsteps of the Blessed Ones who have gone before me. If you want advice on matters culinary, architectural, archaeological, spiritual, marital, psychological, ecclesiastical and so forth, you are welcome to ask. If you seek to be rude, then please do so on another forum and slag me off to your heart’s delight with the other halfwits, as this is the accepted Way of Things these days. I think you’ll fit in well, not being able to spell either ‘plagiarism’ or ‘disappointing’ properly!!!”
O Dark One, I grovel for your forgiveness for I should have known that there would be an explanation. Delia of Smythe was speaking of the Gaulish Croissant, not the Crumpet. I shall go and whip myself now! Like an Egg.
O Dark One writes: “I am fallible like anyone else, but I don’t get it wrong very often. You, however, have made the utterly shameful error of confusing a GAULISH dish, of ALL things, with British fare. 100 lashes minimum and you’ll feel a lot better – I certainly do after some minor flagellation…”
“Right everyone, I’m here now” ( gesticulate, gesticulate ). Um…… I forgot what I was going to type, it must be written down som….
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG
O Dark One writes: “You don’t to be in search of advice, whoever you are, in which case I am powerless to help.”
O Dark One writes: “Oh dear, you seem to be beyond assistance. Whoever you are.”
O Dark One, I would walk with the gods and fly among the clouds on mysterious wings. Can you help, please?
O Dark One writes: “My advice to you is to start drinking heavily. And there’s a great song by Abba called Eagle, so watch the video at the same time.”
“O Dark One, I would like to win a million on Lotto… What six numbers do you suggest? (Then we can all try our luck tomorrow!)”
O Dark One writes: ” I couldn’t guarantee that you’d win exactly one million pounds, as you request, because the numbers I provide might gain or lose you a few quid either way, depending on who else gets lucky and who else is reading this site with a view to using the numbers I would have suggested. I cannot help you, I’m afraid, but nice try anyway!”
Dennis, are you aware that you are being discussed in rather unflattering terms by our mutual friend *up at Avebury?*
I’m not the first and I won’t be the last, so I really couldn’t care less, because I’ve got more important things to occupy myself with.
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for linking to my ‘Stonehenge & the Druids’ video! Much appreciated.
And keep up the good work I see you are doing here.
Pete
Care to comment?
Den! Glad to have found you after all these years
Find photos and phone number on my website, from email address.
Hope you Jill, Jack and Tanith well
XXXX