Newbie | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

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Spaceship mark Mar 17, 2008 14:37:37

Replying to Brownie

Welcome!

Try the Shire Archaeology series as an opener, introductions by some fairly heavyweight authors:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Megalithic-Tombs-Barrows-Britain-Archaeology/dp/0747803412/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205763947&sr=8-7

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prehistoric-Henges-Shire-Archaeology-Aubrey/dp/0747801231/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205763947&sr=8-12

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Irish-Megalithic-Tombs-Shire-Archaeology/dp/0747805989/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205764006&sr=8-38

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prehistoric-Astronomy-Ritual-Shire-Archaeology/dp/0747806144/ref=sr_1_48?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205764006&sr=8-48

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prehistoric-Stone-Circles-Shire-Archaeology/dp/0852639627/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205764062&sr=8-14

Not sure how up to date they are, but they're a good start. The just dive into some proper Aubrey Burl and take it from there...

T

tiompan Mar 17, 2008 15:47:36

Replying to Brownie

Brownie wrote:

Hi there
after buying JC's book TMA a few months ago mainly out of
curiousity I found it quite fascinating and have decided to get my
"hands mucky" and go out and see these some of these wonderful
"snapshots of time" for myself.
However can anyone recommed a decent book for beginners ?
I need to decipher my barrows from my henges and my dolmens
from my recumbents.
I looked on Amazon at a book by Robin Heath "Stone Circles for
Beginners" however one of the comments suggested it was not
entirely a beginners book.
does anyone have any suggestions please ?

Hello Brownie , the problem with the Robin Heath book ,as I see it , is likely to be the emphasis on archaeastronomy , sacred landscapes etc as opposed to the more straightforward archaeology found in the shire books , but if that's what your'e looking for , fine .

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scubi63 Mar 17, 2008 17:58:19

Replying to Brownie

Hi Brownie and welcome.

The Shire series of books are an excellent and cheap starting point.
Many years ago I bought a book which was titled something along the lines of A-Z of Archaeological Sites of Britain. This had a good description of sites around the country and how to get there including grid ref's. Unfotunately I think I left it on the top of my car when I drove off once and never saw it again. I have since bought a similar book which is a bit dated now but still useful (useful if you live in England that is) called Guide to Prehistoric England but it has less photo's .
I recommend a good map of your local area such as the OS Explorer series and getting out and visiting sites near you. There is nothing like seeing places first hand to get a grasp on the different barrows, henges and circles.
Where you live will dictate what you what you have locally and of course this site has a very good map of what you can find near you along with other peoples experiences of them.

Good hunting

:o)

Scubi

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StoneGloves Mar 17, 2008 18:59:24

Replying to Brownie

Swop Cope's book for a pair of his CD's - say Jehovahkill and Fried - and order this one ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Neolithic-Britain-Ireland-Caroline-Malone/dp/0752414429 ) on an inter-library loan. (Sorry it's a long link). This book has the advantages of not being written by a man and of being almost completely free of bullshit.

O

ocifant Mar 17, 2008 21:26:31

Replying to Brownie

Forget the books.

Come along to the megameet in Avebury in June, meet lots of lovely people from this site, and pick their brains :-)

W

wideford Mar 18, 2008 00:07:34

Replying to Brownie

If still available Jacquetta Hawkes "A Gguide to the Prehistoric and R*man Monuments in England and Wales"