Megaliths and their mysteries: the standing stones of Old Europe

Megaliths and Their Mysteries is the first illustrated guide to the ancient stone works of western Europe. Historians Alastair Service and Jean Bradbery take a close look at the people who built them, why and when they were created, and how they relate to one another. From Carnac in Brittany, which is the greatest single center of megaliths in the world, to Sardinia, the site of the last flowering of megalith-building ending about 500 B.C., the authors describe in detail the main megalithic sites of fifteen countries. Drawing on meticulous research, they discuss the rites performed at each site, the use of the megaliths as astronomical observatories, and the ancient creation myths which are symbolized in the structures' designs and carvings. With over 100 new photographs and 40 maps and plans, Megaliths and Their Mysteries is an intriguing visual guide to the locations and styles of these magical monuments, as well as a rare insight into the cultures that created them.