Megalithic Remains in Britain and Brittany

In this sequel to Professor Thom's Megalithic Sites in Britain (1967) and Megalithic Lunar Observatories (1971) the work described there is continued and extended to the continent of Europe. The present book includes illustrated accounts of the authors' large-scale surveys of the isolated menhirs and the large alignments and cromlechs at Carnac in Brittany, which has been described as the Megalithic metropolis of Europe. The British sites described include Stonehenge and Avebury, as well as others in Orkney and Shetland. All these are analysed geometrically and the units of measurement used by the builders are deduced and shown to be universal. Particular attention is given to the astronomical significance of the larger sites. A chapter is devoted to the two large Carnac lunar observatories, one of which is centred on the largest menhir in Europe, le Grand Menhir Brise. Stonehenge is also discussed as a lunar observatory and full details are given of the best extant example of a complete lunar observatory, namely that at Brogar. The astronomical background is set out so that the non-specialist reader can follow the argument. A chapter on the geometry of cup and ring markings is also included.