Ring of Stone Circles: Exploring Neolithic Cumbria

Stan L. Abbott explores the Neolithic and Bronze Age stone circles in Cumbria, which boasts more than fifty circles and henges, most of them sited in the foothills or on outlying plateaux. He seeks to understand the purpose of these monuments and what traces of that society remain today in the roads, food, words, work, and play. Illustrated with linocut illustrations by Denise Burden, Ring of Stone Circles follows the search for the hidden stories these monuments guard.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: Saraband

Stan L. Abbott embarks on a captivating journey to uncover the enigmatic traces of our past, delving into the Neolithic and Bronze Ages through the lens of stone circles. Cumbria, renowned for its abundance of these remarkable monuments, stands as a testament to this ancient civilization. With nearly fifty circles and henges encircling its towering peaks, most situated in the foothills or on outlying plateaux, Stan explores the possibility of Cumbria being the epicenter of Neolithic society in Britain.

But the question remains: what enduring echoes of this society persist in the very fabric of our modern lives? From the roads we tread to the food we savor, the words we speak, our work and play, the remnants of this ancient civilization intertwine with our daily existence. By meticulously observing and comparing numerous sites in Cumbria and beyond, coupled with extensive research into various sources, Stan seeks to unravel the hidden stories these monuments hold, offering a deeper understanding of our past.

Could some circles have been constructed for ritualistic purposes, or perhaps for astronomical observation? Were they burial sites, or simply gathering places for communities to connect? Through captivating linocut illustrations by artist Denise Burden, Ring of Stone Circles takes readers on a journey to uncover the secrets these monuments guard, and the potential revelations they may hold if we dare to unravel their mysteries.

Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913393434