Publisher Description

Countless reminders of prehistoric life still survive in the wide landscapes of Europe, but none are arguably as fascinating or awe-inspiring as the huge stone monuments built by its Neolithic and Bronze Age European societies. These 'megalithic' (after the Greek megas: great, and lithos: stone) structures can still be found scattered in their thousands across Europe, taking many different forms, but all providing a tentative and mysterious link to its distant past.From the Mediterranean to the colder climes of Scandinavia, this book takes readers on a journey through Europe, examining its diverse range of megalithic monuments, also looking at what insights these remarkable structures may provide into the ancient communities who were responsible for their construction.

Author Biography

Julian Heath earned both bachelor's and a master's degrees in archaeology at the University of Liverpool. He specialized in the prehistoric archaeology of western Europe and Egyptology. Since leaving university, he has gone on to publish and illustrate several books on prehistoric Archaeology/Egyptology such as: Life in Copper Age Britain, Warfare in Neolithic Europe, Sacred Circles, Archaeological Hotspot Egypt. He has also contributed articles to Ancient Egypt magazine.Heath contributed illustrations to the British Museum's Dictionary of Ancient Egypt and two children's books (Stories from Ancient Egypt & Stories from Ancient Greece and Rome) written by the respected Egyptologist and author, Joyce Tyldesley. He has also worked as a finds illustrator (this involves the accurate drawing of ancient artefacts for publication, following set technical conventions) with Liverpool University missions to sites in Egypt.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. An Introduction to Megalithic EuropeChapter 2. The Heartland of Megalithic EuropeChapter 3. French and Swiss Megalithic TombsChapter 4. Megalithic IberiaChapter 5. Megaliths of the Mediterranean IslandsChapter 6. The Stone Circles of Britain and IrelandChapter 7. Stonehenge and AveburyChapter 8. English Megalithic TombsChapter 9. Welsh Megalithic TombsChapter 10. Irish Megalithic TombsChapter 11. Scottish Megalithic TombsChapter 12. Megalithic Germany and HollandChapter 13. Megalithic Scandinavia

Review

This well-crafted book is an invaluable companion for anyone researching the ritual lives of our European Neolithic ancestors.  Julian Heath brings together all the major Neolithic sites in one very informative volume; ideal for scholars and those researching our distant heritage. -- George Nash, Geosciences Centre, IPT, Coimbra University, Portugal
Creation of monuments is one of the important features of prehistoric societies. Julian Heath's book offers and amazing and broadly accessible guide through the megalithic mind of our ancestors. The book is covering the prehistoric expressions of monumentality throughout Europe. This book is a valuable companion to all readers interested in our megalithic past. -- Dr. Jan Turek, Center for Theoretical Studies, Charles University, Prague, Editor-in-chief of Archaeologies-Journal of the World Archaeological Congress

Long Description

Countless reminders of prehistoric life still survive in the wide landscapes of Europe, but none are arguably as fascinating or awe-inspiring as the huge stone monuments built by its Neolithic and Bronze Age European societies. These 'megalithic' (after the Greek megas: great, and lithos: stone) structures can still be found scattered in their thousands across Europe, taking many different forms, but all providing a tentative and mysterious link to its distant past. From the Mediterranean to the colder climes of Scandinavia, this book takes readers on a journey through Europe, examining its diverse range of megalithic monuments, also looking at what insights these remarkable structures may provide into the ancient communities who were responsible for their construction.

Review Quote

This well-crafted book is an invaluable companion for anyone researching the ritual lives of our European Neolithic and Bronze Age ancestors. Julian Heath brings together all the major megalithic sites in one very informative volume; ideal for scholars and those researching our distant heritage.

Details