Abury, A Temple of the British Druids, With Some Others, Described

Name: Abury, A Temple of the British Druids, With Some Others, Described
Author: William Stukeley

By William Stukeley

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Archaeology & Anthropology History - British History - Religious

About This Book

An antiquarian survey documents a large megalithic temple and several neighboring prehistoric monuments, presenting measured plans, engravings, and detailed observations of their layout and construction. It argues these sites functioned as centers for an early, patriarchal religion practiced without images, traces conceptual links between eastern and western ritual traditions, and proposes scenarios for the initial settlement and spread of peoples in the islands. Classical authorities and comparative examples are marshaled to interpret features and rites, blending field description with speculative historical and religious interpretation.

About the Author

William Stukeley

William Stukeley (1687–1765) was an English antiquarian and physician, best known for his pioneering studies of prehistoric monuments in Britain. His works, including "Stonehenge, a Temple Restor'd to the British Druids," reflect his deep interest in the ancient Druids and their religious practices. Stukeley's detailed observations and illustrations contributed significantly to the understanding of megalithic structures and their cultural significance. He also authored "Abury, A Temple of the British Druids, With Some Others, Described," where he explored the ceremonial landscape of Avebury. His writings blend archaeology, history, and philosophy, marking him as a notable figure in the early development of archaeology as a discipline.