Prehistoric Astronomy and Ritual by Aubrey Burl

Prehistoric Astronomy and Ritual by Aubrey Burl

Stonehenge was not an observatory used by druidical astronomer-priests. It was, instead, a monument in which the moon and the sun and the dead were joined together. In this book the author explains how people in the British Isles, four thousand or more years ago, identified life and death with the cycle of midwinter and midsummer and with the risings and settings of the sun and moon. This is why so many megalithic monuments have astronomical sightlines built into them. This book describes how astronomical customs developed in the British Isles. Unlike other works about 'megalithic astronomy' technical explanations about azimuths and declinations are kept to their simplest. The emphasis here is upon people rather than pertrubations and eclipses.

Aubrey Burl is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and an Honoary Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. His interest has always been in the early societies of prehistoric Britain, particularly in their ritual practices.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780747806141
ISBN 10	0747806144
Title	Prehistoric Astronomy and Ritual
Author	Aubrey Burl
Series	Shire Archaeology
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Year published	2005-04-01
Number of pages	72
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.