Mark Greener describes how research is pointing to humans’ own magnetic compass Every time I get close to certain Avebury stones, an area I know and love, I experience a definite, palpable sensation lurking on the edges of my perception. Sadly, I wasn’t thrown back like Roj Blake (OK, it was Adam Brake in […]
A sense of direction Read More »
Lichen growth is a perennial but rarely remarked feature of a megaltihic site visit. Mark Greener explains why we should take notice Lichens are easy to overlook: seemingly nondescript splodges on megaliths, insignificant against the scale of the stone let alone compared with the grandeur of the sacred landscape. Yet they’re integral to megalithic beauty:
Megaliths and Lichenoglyphs Read More »
A homespun pharmacopeia was once more than simple folklore, as Mark Greener shows Folklore often contains kernels of truth. In 1568, for example, gardeners in England began cultivating Goat’s Rue (Galega officinalis). First recorded in the wild in 1640, Goat’s Rue (also called French Lilac or Italian Fitch) is now a common wildflower.1 Healers
Britain’s herbal heritage: Folklore and a kernel of truth Read More »
Mark Greener reviews recent findings on ‘megalithisme’ The 35000 remaining megaliths scattered across Europe – from Sweden to Sicily, from Poland to Portugal – include tombs, standing stones, stone circles, alignments and buildings.1,2 Despite this widespread distribution, megaliths share numerous features.1 As long ago as 1719, the Swiss antiquary Jacques Christophe Iselin remarked on
On the origins of megaliths Read More »
In NE145, a review of the ‘Celts’ exhibition that took place in London and Edinburgh observed the curiosity of a wooden keg assumed to have held drink being made from the highly toxic yew. Mark Greener considered the implications. At first sight, yew isn’t the wood you’d choose for a tankard, bucket or barrel.
Yew’ll drink to that? Read More »
Senegambia in West Africa has a remarkable collection of megalithic monuments and corresponding narratives, shared here by Mark Greener Even setting the pyramids aside, Africa is home to rich and diverse megalithic traditions. The Ntondomo complex in western Mali, for instance, consists of almost 150 barrows and stone circles.1 One Ghanaian complex contains at least
The Curse of the Senegambian Stones Read More »
Our latest issue is now available as of June 2023. Go to our shop for further details and subscriptions. https://northernearth.co.uk/subscription/
Northern Earth 172 Read More »
We regret that our titles Hidden Charms, Hidden Charms 2, and Charming Calderdale are now sold out. Charming Calderdale will become available again in the future, however, so don’t give up! Contact us for updates.
Hidden Charms & Apotropaic titles sold out Read More »
Northern Earth 172 is in the post to all paid-up subscribers in the UK and across the world, so watch your postbox! It’s also in most of our retailers already and on its way to others. Be sure to grab your copy by subscribing! https://northernearth.co.uk/subscription/
New issue NE172 OUT NOW! Read More »
March 2020 was a tense time for us, as the government considered the first lockdown and we had a groundbreaking event planned in Hebden Bridge! In the end, we made it with a week to spare, and the day was lapped up by a motley crowd of folklorists, geographers, historians, earth mysterians and psychogeographers sharing
Dreaming Valleys 2 Read More »