
Britain's pagan past with its mysterious monuments atmospheric sites enigmatic artifacts bloodthirsty legends & cryptic inscriptions is both enthralling & perplexing to a resident of the twenty-first century In this ambitious & thoroughly up-to-date book Ronald Hutton reveals the long development rapid suppression & enduring cultural significance of paganism from the Paleolithic Era to the coming of Christianity He draws on an array of recently discovered evidence & shows how new findings have radically transformed understandings of belief & ritual in Britain before the arrival of organized religion Setting forth a chronological narrative Hutton along the way makes side visits to explore specific locations of ancient pagan activity He
Includes:: the well-known sacred sites-Stonehenge Avebury Seahenge Maiden Castle Anglesey-as well as more obscure locations across the mainland & coastal islands In tireless pursuit of the elusive why of pagan behavior Hutton astonishes with the breadth of his understanding of Britain's deep past & inspires with the originality of his insights