Stone Circles
A Field Guide
Colin Richards author Vicki Cummings author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Yale University Press
Published:10th Sep '24
Should be back in stock very soon
This comprehensive guide explores 424 significant stone circle sites across Britain and Ireland, detailing their features, recent research, and insights into their historical significance, enhanced by photographs and maps. Stone Circles offers a deep dive into these ancient monuments.
"Stone Circles" serves as a comprehensive guide to the enigmatic stone circles found throughout Britain and Ireland. From iconic sites like Stonehenge and the Ring of Brodgar to lesser-known locations such as the Rollright Stones and Avebury, these prehistoric monuments offer a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of our ancient ancestors. Despite various theories surrounding their purpose, a definitive explanation remains elusive, making these sites even more intriguing.
Authored by Colin Richards and Vicki Cummings, this field guide meticulously catalogues 424 significant stone circle sites across the two regions. The book is organized by geographical area, allowing readers to easily navigate the features of these megalithic structures. The authors incorporate the latest research and recent excavations, shedding light on circles that had been overlooked or forgotten. Their analysis provides fresh perspectives on the chronology, composition, and functions of different stone circles, contributing to a deeper understanding of these historical landmarks.
Richly illustrated with photographs, maps, and plans, "Stone Circles" is not only informative but visually engaging. It serves as an essential resource for anyone interested in prehistoric monuments, archaeology, or the cultural heritage of Britain and Ireland. By combining scholarly insight with accessible writing, Richards and Cummings invite readers to explore the mysteries of these ancient sites and reflect on their significance in our shared history.
“The authors are, at heart, enthusiasts (‘this site is a real gem’) and their handsome book will encourage the same in anyone they persuade to go stone-circle bagging.”—Michael Prodger, New Statesman
“Essential reading for anyone with an interest in the subject.”—Jack Watkins, Country Life
“Required enormous dedication, care, and love to research and write, and so [is] vastly enriching.”—Rob Ixer, Current Archaeology
“The authors present new insights on the chronology, composition, and roles of different circles to transform our understanding the sites.”—The Orcadian
“Written with style and containing a wealth of expert knowledge, Colin Richards and Vicki Cummings offer the essential field guide to the stone circles of Britain and Ireland. The Stone Circles provides a thoroughly up-to-date and beautifully illustrated account of key sites.”—Joshua Pollard, author of Avebury
“The indispensable new guide to stone circles in Britain and Ireland by two leading prehistorians: packed with up-to-date interpretation and information including instructions on how to find even the most remote sites, sensitive to the beauties of landscapes and settings, and good for armchair browsing as well.”—Alasdair Whittle, author of The Times of Their Lives
“Meticulously researched and richly detailed, this is a welcome new guide to the stone circles of Great Britain and Ireland. Including up-to-date information, and the opportunity for the reader to engage in their own stone circle research, this is accessible, inclusive and engaging, and a must have for any stone lovers bookshelf.”—Katy Soar, editor of Circles of Stone
“This attractive and colourfully illustrated book is what we have been waiting for. It is both an accessible field guide and an excellent state-of-the-art overview of our understanding of these most enigmatic prehistoric monuments. It will have a place on the bookshelves of experts and enthusiasts alike.”—Mike Parker Pearson, author of Stonehenge
"At once the best aid yet published to those wishing to visit the stone circles of Britain and Ireland, and the most comprehensive and up-to-date survey of what is known about each."—Ronald Hutton, author of Pagan Britain
Included in Current Archaeology’s "Books of the Year 2024"
ISBN: 9780300235982
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
520 pages