Megaliths from Antiquity

Megaliths from Antiquity

Author: Timothy Darvill

Publisher:

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 400

ISBN-13:

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"Antiquity Publications announces the publication of the third volume of Antiquity papers, drawing on the 75-year tradition of publishing articles of enduring value. The third volume of reprinted classic papers explores the ever intriguing theme of British and European megaliths. Thirty-six papers examine four principal themes on megalithic studies. The earliest monuments - the great tombs and dolmens - reveal the extent of megalithic variety. Papers range from Daniel's early studies of British dolmens to more recent debates; the perennial interest in Stonehenge and Avebury has figured prominently in Antiquity and is brought fully up to date. The presence of timber and earth circles as precursors or alternatives to megalithic structures show further variety in ancient monument building. The final section, Beyond the Megaliths, through studies of ancient engineering, archaeoastronomy and sensory archaeology demonstrates the abiding interest in interpretations of function and meaning in the ancient stones."--provided by publisher.


The Megaliths of Northern Europe

The Megaliths of Northern Europe

Author: Magdalena Midgley

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2008-07

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 113426450X

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The North European megaliths are among the most enduring structures built in prehistory; they are imbued with symbolic meanings which embody physical and conceptual ideas about the nature of the world inhabited by the first Northern farmers. The Megaliths of Northern Europe provides a much needed up-to-date synthesis of the material available on these monuments, incorporating the results of recent research in Holland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. This research has brought to light new data on the construction of the megaliths and their role in the cultural landscape, and Magdalena Midgley offers a fascinating interpretation of the symbolism of megalithic tombs within the context of early farming communities. This wealth of new evidence suggests the Northern European megaliths were important foci in the wider north-west European context. The construction of dolmens and passage graves, using huge glacial boulders, demanded both great communal effort and considerable skill. In addition to this technical expertise the master builders also made use of their esoteric knowledge of rituals. This was expressed in the use of exotic building materials and special architectural features, and in the placement of tombs within the natural and cultural landscapes, creating new metaphors and images. Fully illustrated, this book will be of interest to both undergraduate and postgraduate students of European Prehistory, Archaeology and Prehistoric Anthropology, as well as architects who study ancient architecture and social anthropologists who study modern megaliths.


Megalithomania

Megalithomania

Author: John Michell

Publisher: Ingram

Published: 2007-04-03

Total Pages: 165

ISBN-13: 9781906069032

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A feast of extraordinary theories and personalities centred around the mysterious standing stones of antiquity. John Michell tells the incredible story of the amazing reactions, ancient and modern, to these prehistoric relics, whether astronomical, legendary, mystical or visionary.


Wisdomkeepers of Stonehenge

Wisdomkeepers of Stonehenge

Author: Graham Phillips

Publisher: Bear

Published: 2019-06-18

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781591432975

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Reveals how Stonehenge was an extraordinary astronomical calendar used in the cultivation of ingredients for long-forgotten botanical cures • Explores how Stonehenge and other stone circles were ancient healing sanctuaries and celestial calculators for the preparation of natural medicines • Explains how the megalithic priesthood--and their successors, the Druids--developed astonishing memory techniques to preserve knowledge over generations • Draws upon the very latest discoveries from recent archaeological excavations and overlooked historical source material Stonehenge is just one of thousands of stone circles erected throughout Britain and Ireland for over three millennia from 3,000 BC on. How did this building tradition survive for so long, over such a large area and with such complexity and uniformity, when the people of the British Isles lived in separate, isolated communities and left no evidence of a central leadership or obvious communication network? Graham Phillips argues that these stone circles are evidence of an astonishing system of healthcare and preservation of ancient medical knowledge that held together a society scattered across the British Isles. With stones aligned to the sun, moon, and certain stars, these ancient monuments enabled the precise timings necessary for the cultivation of medicinal plants. He explains how the megalithic priesthood possessed medical knowledge well beyond their time and may even have discovered a cure for cancer. Furthermore, because they had no form of writing, the megalithic people developed phenomenal memory techniques to preserve their knowledge over many generations, resulting in a class of wisdomkeepers that were not only healers but the living libraries of their culture. Drawing upon the latest discoveries from recent archaeological excavations and overlooked historical source material, Phillips reveals that the megalithic culture survived far longer than previously thought and that the people who held it together were an enigmatic shamanic sect ultimately called the Druids. Uncovering the secrets of ancient megalithic culture and the purpose of their enigmatic stone circles, Phillips contends that all the evidence has now been gathered to unlock the secrets encoded in the stones--and perhaps discover remedies for diseases still uncured by modern medicine today.


Megaliths of the World

Megaliths of the World

Author: Luc Laporte

Publisher: Archaeopress Publishing Ltd

Published: 2022-08-22

Total Pages: 1436

ISBN-13: 1803273216

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Bringing together the latest research on megalithic monuments throughout the world, 150 researchers offer 72 articles, providing a region-by region account in their specialist areas, and a summary of the current state of knowledge. Highlighting salient themes, the book is vital to anyone interested in the phenomenon of megalithic monumentality.


The Archaeology of Malta

The Archaeology of Malta

Author: Claudia Sagona

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2015-08-25

Total Pages: 471

ISBN-13: 1107006694

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This book synthesizes the archaeology of the Maltese archipelago from the first human colonization c. 5000 BC through the Roman period (c. 400 AD). Claudia Sagona interprets the archaeological record to explain changing social and political structures, intriguing ritual practices, and cultural contact through several millennia.


Perceptions of the Prehistoric in Anglo-Saxon England

Perceptions of the Prehistoric in Anglo-Saxon England

Author: Sarah Semple

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2013-10

Total Pages: 353

ISBN-13: 0199683107

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Represents an unparalleled exploration of the place of prehistoric monuments in the Anglo-Saxon psyche, and examines how Anglo-Saxon communities perceived and used these monuments during the period AD 400-1100.


Exploring Megalithic Europe

Exploring Megalithic Europe

Author: Julian Heath

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2019-11-07

Total Pages: 263

ISBN-13: 1538120925

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Abundant prehistoric remains survive in the wide landscapes of Europe, but none are arguably as fascinating or awe-inspiring as the “megalithic” (after the Greek megas: great, and lithos: stone) monuments built by the people who lived here during the three hugely important periods of European prehistory known respectively as the Neolithic, the Copper Age, and the Bronze Age. These huge, prehistoric stone structures can still be found scattered in their thousands across Europe and provide a tentative but evocative link to their builders, and to Europe’s distant past. From the Mediterranean islands to the colder climes of Scandinavia, Exploring Megalithic Europe takes readers to many European countries, examining both famous and lesser-known megalithic monuments and looking at what insights these remarkable reminders of prehistoric life may provide into the ancient communities responsible for their construction.


The Old Stones

The Old Stones

Author: Andy Burnham

Publisher: Watkins Media Limited

Published: 2018-09-18

Total Pages: 709

ISBN-13: 1786782030

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Winner of Current Archaeology’s Book of the Year Discover the iconic standing stones and prehistoric sites of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland—this comprehensive, coffee table travel guide features over 750 must-see destinations, with maps and color photographs The ultimate insiders’ guide, The Old Stones gives unparalleled insight into where to find prehistoric sites and how to understand them, by drawing on the knowledge, expertise and passion of the archaeologists, theorists, photographers and stones aficionados who contribute to the world’s biggest megalithic website—the Megalithic Portal. Including over 30 maps and site plans and hundreds of color photographs, it also contains scores of articles by a wide range of contributors—from archaeologists and archaeoastronomers to dowsers and geomancers—that will change the way you see these amazing survivals from our distant past. Locate over 1,000 of Britain and Ireland’s most atmospheric prehistoric places, from recently discovered moorland circles to standing stones hidden in housing estates. Discover which sites could align with celestial bodies or horizon landmarks. Explore acoustic, color, and shadow theory to get inside the minds of the Neolithic and Bronze Age people who created these extraordinary places. Find out which sites have the most spectacular views, which are the best for getting away from it all and which have been immortalized in music. And don't forget to visit the Megalithic Portal website and get involved by posting your discoveries online. All royalties from this book go to support the running of the Megalithic Portal: www.megalithic.com.


The Megalithic Architectures of Europe

The Megalithic Architectures of Europe

Author: Luc Laporte

Publisher: Oxbow Books Limited

Published: 2022-06-15

Total Pages: 248

ISBN-13: 9781789258097

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First major synthesis by leading regional specialists in English of recent excavation results and new approaches to the study of megalithic monuments and their individual histories across Europe.