A fresh look at the World Heritage Site that includes Avebury henge, West Kennet long barrow and Silbury Hill. Mann combines archaeology, astronomy and anthropology to offer an original and convincing account of the building of these extraordinary Neolithic monuments. The ancient Britons were inspired by a profound knowledge of the heavens when they erected the monumental stones of Avebury. Mann throws light on the motive behind the creation of its awe-inspiring mounds and megaliths by demonstrating that they were aligned to the cycles of the Sun, Moon and stars. This book will help visitors and readers to see Avebury in a wholly new light - the light of the heavenly bodies that guided its Neolithic builders. Avebury Cosmos will reawaken our ancient reverence for the stars and deepen our respect for the extraordinary abilities and forgotten knowledge of our prehistoric ancestors.

The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of the City is an outstanding reference source to this exciting subject and the first collection of its kind. Comprising 40 chapters by a team of international contributors, the Handbook is divided into clear sections addressing the following central topics: • Historical Philosophical Engagements with Cities • Modern and Contemporary Philosophical Theories of the City • Urban Aesthetics • Urban Politics • Citizenship • Urban Environments and the Creation/Destruction of Place. The concluding section, Urban Engagements, contains interviews with philosophers discussing their engagement with students and the wider public on issues and initiatives including experiential learning, civic and community engagement, disability rights and access, environmental degradation, professional diversity, social justice, and globalization. Essential reading for students and researchers in environmental philosophy, aesthetics, and political philosophy, The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of the City is also a useful resource for those in related fields, such as geography, urban studies, sociology, and political science.

This book explores how the weather and city-form impact the mind, and how city-form and mind interact. It builds on Merleau-Ponty’s contention that mind, the human body and the environment are intertwined in a singular composite, and on Walter Benjamin’s suggestion that mind and city-form, in mutual interaction, through history, have set the course of civilization. Bringing together the fields of philosophy, urbanism, geography, history, and architecture, the book shows the association of existentialism with prevalence of mood disorder in Northern Europe at the close of Little Ice Age. It explains the implications of city-form and traces the role of the myths and allegories of urban design as well as the history of gender projection onto city-form. It shows how urbanization in Northern Europe provided easier access to shelter, yet resulted in sunlight deprivation, and yielded increasing incidence of depression and other mental disorder among the European middle-class. The book uses the examples of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Dostoevsky and Kafka, to show how walking through the streets, squares and other urban voids became the informal remedy to mood disorder, a prominent trait among founders of modern Existentialism. It concludes by describing how the connection of anguish and violence is relevant to winter depression in cities, in North America in particular.

For one brief moment in the third millennium BCE the galaxy levelled around the horizon, bringing into view stars that would not be visible again in the northern hemisphere for twenty thousand years. The spectacular Southern Cross dominated the night sky, and it is the contention of this book that this event was marked by the Neolithic people of Britain by monuments such as Avebury. Avebury Henge marries archaeology with astronomy to show that the people who built Avebury, West Kennet long barrow and Silbury Hill aligned them not only with the cycles of the sun, moon and planets, but also with the stars.

What was the purpose of all the megalithic architecture that was created all around the world during the Stone-Age? Ralf has developed a theory that each of these structures represents a map of the world, a map that may have been designed to pinpoint the location of the mythical Hall of Records. There is no difficulty in seeing these maps, at Stonehenge and Giza, one just needs a little lateral thinking. In fact, a six-year old is more likely to spot them than an adult. Ralph also demonstrates how important the metrology of Giza was to the ancients. In fact we still use these units today, for the Great Pyramid measures 1760 cubits around the base and the Imperial Mile measures 1760 yards. Thus America in particular is still using Egyptian metrology. The Megalithic Map series Latest version v5.4 Stonehenge, Avebury, Silbury, Henge, Great Pyramid, Giza, Meidum, Pyramid, Precession.

The Mysterious Megaliths: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Monuments Embark on a captivating journey through time and explore the enigmatic world of megalithic sites in this thrilling book. From the ancient stone circles of Europe to the monumental structures of Asia and the Americas, discover the origins and significance of these mysterious megaliths. Delve into the riddles surrounding famous sites like Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, and Easter Island, and unravel the secrets hidden within their intricate designs and astrological alignments. Uncover the mystical legends and supernatural phenomena associated with megalithic sites, and delve into the ancient rituals and burial practices connected to these monumental structures. Explore the depths beneath these megaliths, where subterranean chambers and tunnels hold untold treasures and unsolved mysteries. Learn about the modern-day efforts to excavate, conserve, and manage these awe-inspiring sites. Delight in the rich history and astronomical knowledge displayed by these ancient civilizations, and be captivated by the wonders that are waiting to be discovered within the fascinating world of megaliths.

An examination of ancient astronomy looks at the myths and beliefs about the heavens that influenced everyday life in these primitive cultures

Stonehenge is one of the most famous ancient monuments in the world and its solar alignment is one of its most important features. Yet although archaeologists have learned a huge amount about this iconic monument and its development, a sense of mystery continues about its purpose. This helps fuel numerous theories and common misconceptions, particularly concerning its relationship to the sky and the heavenly bodies. A desire to cut through this confusion was the inspiration for this book, and it fills a gaping hole in the existing literature. The book provides both an introduction to Stonehenge and its landscape and an introduction to archaeoastronomy—the study of how ancient peoples understood phenomena in the sky, and what role the sky played in their cultures. Archaeoastronomy is a specialism critical to explaining the relationship of Stonehenge and nearby monuments to the heavens, but interpreting archaeoastronomical evidence has often proved highly controversial in the past. Stonehenge: Sighting the Sun explains why. It makes clear which ideas about Stonehenge are generally accepted and which are not, with clear graphics to explain complicated concepts. This beautifully illustrated book shines new light on this most famous of ancient monuments, and is the first in-depth study of this fascinating topic suitable both for specialists and for anyone with a general interest.

Are you fascinated by ancient civilizations and their enigmatic ways? Have you ever wondered what could have been the purpose of those intriguing cup and ring stones? Well, fret no more! In this ultimate guide, we delve into the little-known world of these cryptic symbols, breaking down their origin, purpose, creation techniques, and cultural context. 1. Discover how cup and ring stones have baffled historians and enthusiasts alike for centuries. 2. Learn about the possible evolution of these symbols throughout ancient civilizations. 3. Grasp the immense significance of these enigmatic stones in understanding ancient societies and their social hierarchies. 4. Get a first-hand look at the applied creation techniques of cup and ring stones, exploring the practical aspects of their craftsmanship. 5. Delve into the fascinating theories behind the carving of these symbols, inspired by the possibilities of ritualistic or religious uses. 6. Uncover the role of cup and ring stones in their cultural context, shedding light on the understanding of ancient people's beliefs and values. 7. Marvel at the iconography and symbolic meanings hidden within these ancient stones, opening your eyes to a new world of prehistoric art and communication. 8. Discover how the presence of animistic symbols might provide clues about early beliefs and worship practices, giving you a glimpse into the spiritual life of long-gone societies. If you are ready to unlock the mystery of cup and ring stones and delve into the fascinating world of ancient civilizations, then buy this book today! You owe it to yourself to deepen your understanding of our human history and quench your thirst for knowledge. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating world of cup and ring stones.

The English West Country is a land of exceptional landscapes: many miles of wild, unspoilt coastline and vast expanses of wild moorland; great cities such as Exeter, Plymouth, Bath and Bristol; and market towns, villages and hamlets. Farming, mining, quarrying, fishing and trade are the traditional industries of the counties of Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. On one level, the West Country is the most English of all English regions, home of clotted cream, thatch, church spires, folksong, hobby horses and Cecil Sharp. Yet the area was trading with Mediterranean Europe before the Romans. For many years Bristol was the centre of the slave trade, and many of its great mansions were built on the proceeds of slavery. Great swathes of land in Dorset, Wiltshire and Devon are still used by the military and are off-bounds to visitors. And within the West Country is the special case of Celtic Cornwall, and the even more remote Isles of Scilly. People lived in the West Country long before Britain, or England, were invented. From the great stone circles of Avebury and Stonehenge in Wiltshire to the menhirs of Cornwall, and the wealth of prehistoric remains on the Isles of Scilly, this has always been an inhabited landscape, crafted by men and women working closely with nature and natural forces. John Payne explores this culturally rich and varied region, revealing many facets of its distinctive and much-loved identity.