Circles of Stone - Hardcover

Burl, Aubrey

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1860466613 ISBN 13: 9781860466618

Publisher: The Harvill Press, 1999

Synopsis

Concentrating on the eighty most important sites in Britain and Ireland, this illustrated guide to stone circles and landscape temples is the first work on the subject to combine stunning photography with scientific survey. Stone circles are one of the enticements and fascinations of prehistory. The emptiness and mystery of these sites and their weathered stones have captivated, perplexed, and attracted visitors from all over the world.Max Milligan's images convey the serene beauty and unique aura of these sites, and range from descriptive and informative views to strikingly abstract and inspiring compositions. The text by Aubrey Burl, the acknowledged authority on the subject, offers detailed historical accounts and descriptions of the sites, and recounts the powerful myths and legends that have surrounded them and persist to this day.

About this title

Review:

Categorised by the publisher as archaeology/history/photography, Circles of Stone does indeed straddle all these subjects. The volume is in itself a work of art, a stimulating introduction to a fascinating aspect of prehistory and a useful work of reference for anyone with an interest in ancient monuments. Fabulous photographs of 70 stone circles from all over the British Isles are accompanied by a factually rich text. The author, an established authority on prehistoric megaliths, gives an interesting impression of how the stones have been variously used and perceived through their long histories. Whilst allowing legend a voice, this text is not the place to find detailed speculation on prehistoric rites or ancient astronomy; its scope is more pragmatic and it includes details of the form and location of each monument and other interesting sites. Chronologically arranged, the selection begins with the circles of the Late Neolithic and ends in the Middle Bronze Age, showing a great variety of form over 2000 years. There is variety too in the photographic views, from panoramas to zoomed-in textural detail. The photographs themselves are dramatic. Taken in many different light conditions, they often capture the stones at their most evocative moments, showing how the illumination of the Sun and Moon and the form of the surrounding landscape is a vital part of their aura--just as was the case in prehistory. --Karen Tiley

Synopsis:

The beginnings, development and gradual end of stone circles are explored in this illustrated guide, combining colour photography with scientific survey. Their significance and use, with astronomical alignments to the sun and moon and today's beliefs that human sacrifices were part of the rituals in the megalithic rings are explained.

About this edition

• Publisher: The Harvill Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1860466613
• ISBN 13: 9781860466618
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224