Our articles in this section deal with archaeology and archaeological sites from all over the world
The interpretation of prehistoric features as ritual sites and practices may distract attention from the ancient need for functional infrastructure. Roger B. Hutchins argues for one such case. Most NE readers, if few others, will be familiar with prehistoric stone rows. I became a guide for the Dartmoor National Park about 35 years ago, and […]
Stone rows: a practical solution Read More »
By John E. Palmer, 2024 Springendal is a protected nature reserve near Hezingen, in the province of Twente in the Netherlands. In April 2019 two metal detectorists (1) searched on terrain belonging to Staatsbosbeheer(Forestry Commission) and found some gold coins which they were unable to interpret or date. After consultation they decided to duly report
A Saxon alignment and pagan cult site in Twente, the Netherlands Read More »
By Simon Crook And if you flung her headdress on her from under her highlows you’d wheeze whyse Salmonson set his seel on a hexengown – James Joyce, Finnegans Wake ‘an orangefiery shipload from the planet Alpha’ On 10 December 2023, 32 days into navigating a family bereavement, I learnt of a recently discovered Roman
‘The foal seeks the pasture’: A hexagonal Roman shrine in Hampshire Read More »
For Queen and Country The Eleanor Crosses are among the outstanding monuments of the Middle Ages. They represent one of the most developed of our ancient funeral routes, and embody a wide range of architectural style and innovation. They also carry a weight of symbolism drawn from the mythic aspirations of a mediaeval dynasty. John
For Queen and Country: The Eleanor Crosses Read More »
King Arthur has made his mark on Britain’s landscape, and not surprisingly left his name on numerous ancient sites. Here, Dave Weldrake considers Arthur’s relationship with Round Tables and maidens… Arthurian place names A lot of time and effort has been spent on trying to site the battles of King Arthur. (See for instance
The mystery of the round table of Arthur Read More »
Mike Haigh summarises a fascinating story of the author’s earliest experience of the past The Alderley Edge shovel is really a dull, functional tool – but it has a remarkable story. It begins in the early 1940s at Alderley Edge Council School in Cheshire, where local lad Alan Garner was taught the rudiments of education
Alan Garner’s Shovel Read More »
Laurence Main finds an old spirit path in Wales This did not begin with a thick pencil, drawing lines on a grubby, folded map. Perish the thought! My means of maintaining a modicum of sanity in this world is to escape to the hills and ancient trackways. Yes, old straight tracks. I didn’t make them straight.
The Lance of Light: A Spirit Road above Harlech Read More »
Is the famous Cretan fresco denoting the stars around Taurus? William Glyn-Jones thinks it may be… Cr. Heraklion Archaeological Museum CCO, Wikimedia Commons The Bull Leaper fresco (p.16) from the palace of Knossos in Crete has always been a particular favourite of mine. The graceful power of the bull, with its sensuous
The Minoan Bull Leaper Fresco in Crete Read More »
Should we take seriously legends about ‘retribution’ coming to humans who violate ritual sites? Robert W E Farrah has been wondering the same thing… It was during the campaign to stop a Christian ‘Millennium Monument’ being erected in the vicinity of Mayburgh henge (see NE 84 & 85) that I was reminded
The Legend of Mayburgh Henge Read More »
Janet Bord considers the development of holy well research and interest through the lens of her work in Wales Davina Ware Little did I know what I was letting myself in for when I started researching the book which was published in 1985 as Sacred Waters: Holy Wells and Water Lore in Britain and Ireland. I
Researching saints’ wells in Wales Read More »