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The Old Stones: A Field Guide to the Megalithic Sites of Britain and Ireland
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.
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.
416 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2018
30 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 8, 2020
This is absolutely the best book I have read about the Megalithic sites in Britain! Its clearly written, very informative, colourful and I can't wait to visit more of the sites described. Highly recommended!
August 20, 2019
There are other books which will give you information about ancient sites, but I haven't come across one as inspiring and inclusive as this before.
The Old Stones details a huge number of megalithic places to visit all over the UK and Ireland and marks particularly notable ones with stars. If you want a gazetteer and guide it does this with ease and simplicity, being organised by county and area. However, there is more.
There are numerous atmospheric photos taken by a wide variety of contributors, top tens, tips on getting the most from a site, archeological and historical information, esoteric thoughts and OS references... in essence this book is wonderfully inclusive, it embraces multiple viewpoints.
I love the mix of academic and how sites make people feel, the energies, which people who have visited many of these places will have felt, but may feel cautious about expressing. If those views don't chime with yours, turn over the page and there will be a well written piece by a qualified archeologist or the opinion of a local who has fought to keep their area safe from development or cattle, you don't have to agree with it all, but a multiplicity of views is well represented and that is a wonderful thing.
It's a real pleasure to peruse and has made me keen to revisit some places I've been to already and explore new ones, thank you to all the contributors for their enthusiasm, photographic skills and knowledge as well as the author of this great resource.
The Old Stones details a huge number of megalithic places to visit all over the UK and Ireland and marks particularly notable ones with stars. If you want a gazetteer and guide it does this with ease and simplicity, being organised by county and area. However, there is more.
There are numerous atmospheric photos taken by a wide variety of contributors, top tens, tips on getting the most from a site, archeological and historical information, esoteric thoughts and OS references... in essence this book is wonderfully inclusive, it embraces multiple viewpoints.
I love the mix of academic and how sites make people feel, the energies, which people who have visited many of these places will have felt, but may feel cautious about expressing. If those views don't chime with yours, turn over the page and there will be a well written piece by a qualified archeologist or the opinion of a local who has fought to keep their area safe from development or cattle, you don't have to agree with it all, but a multiplicity of views is well represented and that is a wonderful thing.
It's a real pleasure to peruse and has made me keen to revisit some places I've been to already and explore new ones, thank you to all the contributors for their enthusiasm, photographic skills and knowledge as well as the author of this great resource.
April 2, 2019
I can’t pretend to have read this from cover to cover but I have gone to the sites that I am familiar with and have dipped in across the country and I will continue to do so. The book is a comprehensive survey of the megalithic sites of Britain and Ireland. It’s well written and thorough; well illustrated with directions to sites. It’s essential for anyone interested in the prehistory of the islands.
January 27, 2021
Turns out it's not a biography of Mick and the boys, but an extremely extensive multi-disciplinary survey of the Megalithic sites in these islands. I had no idea there were so many of these beautiful and enigmatic places around. I can't wait to start visiting some of them (especially the lesser known, non-touristy ones) once travel restrictions are lifted.
July 18, 2022
Read this on a trip to Enland, Scotland, and Wales. I visited some sites, saw others from a distance, and dreamed about seeing others. Great reference.
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April 15, 2020Excellent exploration. Desperate to get out of lockdown to visit them all.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews