Two women, 150 years apart, linked by an enduring archaeological mystery
"An intriguing and absorbing novel, meticulously researched." -Fiona Valpy, internationally bestselling author of The Sky Beneath Us
In 1870s Scotland, Christian Maclagan--one of Britain's first female archaeologists--struggles for recognition in a world determined to silence her. Emboldened by her acquisition of a rare Neolithic carved stone ball, she becomes obsessed with unlocking its ancient secrets. But as she studies the mysterious artifact, disturbing dreams begin to unravel her. Eventually, Christian must grapple with the shocking truths she has unconsciously buried for decades.
One hundred fifty years later, American graduate student Ellen Byrne arrives in Scotland to research her thesis. Reeling from a devastating betrayal and haunted by her father's suicide, Ellen discovers a Victorian journal leading her to an extraordinary find--a possible companion to Scotland's most famous carved stone ball. As Ellen races to authenticate her discovery, her increasing obsession with the stone threatens not only to derail her promising career but also to destroy her faith in herself.
An intriguing blend of historical and contemporary fiction, inspired by a true archaeological mystery, What Time Has Kept explores the interplay of memory and consciousness, the emotional power of objects, and the remarkable resilience of the human spirit.