The Old Stones

The Old Stones serves as a field guide to prehistoric sites across Britain and Ireland, documenting over 1,000 locations including stone circles, standing stones, and cairns. The book compiles research and coordinates from the Megalithic Portal website, presenting site descriptions, access information, and maps. Each entry contains practical details like parking locations and walking distances, along with historical context about the sites' discovery and significance. The guide includes photographs and diagrams to help visitors identify key features and understand the astronomical alignments present at many locations. Contributors to the volume include archaeologists, researchers, and prehistory experts who provide regional overviews and insights into how these ancient monuments were built and used. The book organizes sites by geographic region and includes specialized sections on topics like rock art, folklore, and archaeoastronomy. At its core, this comprehensive guide reflects humanity's enduring drive to understand our ancestors and their relationship to the landscape and cosmos. The book demonstrates how ancient monuments continue to captivate modern audiences while raising questions about prehistoric knowledge and capabilities.

Readers value the book's extensive documentation of megalithic sites across Britain and Ireland, with detailed maps, coordinates, and access instructions. Many note its usefulness as a practical field guide when visiting stone circles and monuments. Readers highlight: - Clear photographs and illustrations - Site-by-site driving directions - Inclusion of lesser-known locations - Archaeological context for each site Common criticisms: - Print is small and hard to read - Maps lack sufficient detail for navigation - Some site descriptions are too brief - Book's size makes it bulky for field use Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (52 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (356 ratings) Amazon US: 4.6/5 (127 ratings) Sample review: "The best megalithic guide I've used. Found places I never knew existed just 5 miles from my home." - Amazon reviewer Critical review: "Good reference but not practical to carry. Should have been published as regional guidebooks." - Goodreads reviewer

Standing with Stones by Michael Portillo Documents megalithic sites across Britain through photographs and detailed site histories.

Stone Circles of Britain, Ireland and Brittany by Aubrey Burl Provides archaeological data, maps, and folklore for over 300 prehistoric stone monuments.

Prehistoric Astronomy in Britain by Clive Ruggles Examines the astronomical alignments and mathematical patterns of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments.

The Modern Antiquarian by Julian Cope Catalogs 300 prehistoric sites in Britain with site access information, maps, and historical context.

Stonehenge: Making Sense of a Prehistoric Mystery by Mike Pitts Presents archaeological findings and new research about Britain's most famous stone circle and its builders.

🗿 The book features over 1,000 prehistoric sites across Britain and Ireland, complete with GPS coordinates for visitors and explorers. ⭐ Andy Burnham created the Megalithic Portal website in 2001, which has grown into one of the world's largest online communities for ancient stone enthusiasts, with over 50,000 members. 🌟 The Old Stones is the first comprehensive guide to incorporate both famous megalithic sites like Stonehenge and lesser-known local stone circles and standing stones. 🏛️ The book was awarded Current Archaeology's "Book of the Year" award in 2019, chosen by public vote from archaeology enthusiasts. 🗺️ Each site entry includes practical details such as access information, parking locations, and walking distances, making it a true field guide for modern-day explorers of ancient sites.