- Home
- About Me
- The Later Roman Empire
- The Crusades
- The Knights Templar
- Aztecs
- The Tudors
- The English Reformation
- Buildup to World War 1
- First World War
- Nazi Germany
- The Second World War
- Timelines
- Rothley Chapel
- Monastic Buildings
- Penhill Preceptory
- Ancient History photos
- Historical Curiosities
- Reading lists
- Guestbook
This section contains a range of photos of many different sites which date back thousands of years to the Bronze age (circa 3500-1200 BC) and maybe earlier. They are mostly of the many megaliths and ancient burial cairns that I have come across on my travels around Britain. Very little is actually known about the majority of the sites, some have rather compelling and mysterious names which they have aquired down the years for unknown reasons. With names such as "The Murder Stone", "Highwayman stone" and "Hob Hursts house" one wonders what rituals took place in the past for them to develop these titles...
Above, the bronze age trible settlement of Ty Mawr on the North west side of the Isle of Anglesey, Wales. A number of circular hut bases are visible on the hillside and the settlement looks to have housed around 40 people. The settlement is quite far away from any fresh water source and is rather exposed to the elements, it appears to be a quite impractical location for a village.
Above is the Din Lligwy, a more substantial settlement in Anglesey. This site is much bigger than the one at Ty Mawr and is located on the south east of the island. The two sites are good examples of how living conditions differed from clan to clan in a small area. This site appears to be much more solidly built and more appropriately sheltered.
Above, Thor's cave, located in the Manifold valley, Derbyshire. Excavations inside the cave have produced fossils of the tooth of a very big prehistoric cat, most likely a sabre-toothed tiger. The climb up to the cave is very steep.
Above, Doll Tor, a bronze age pagan stone circle near Stanton Moor, Derbyshire. The circle consists of 6 standing stones some of which were broken during excavations and repaired with cement. The site is still visited by druids to this day.
Above, the corkstone on Stanton Moor. One of many large glacial erratic stones situated on the moor, most likely deposited during the last ice age. You can see footholes carved into the rock for people to climb.
Above is another of the glacial erratic boulders on Stanton moor. This one is called the Eagle stone most likely due to it's appearence, it is possible, by use of the imagination, to see an eagle's head in the top centre and 2 wings either side.
Above, The Bullring henge, Doveholes, Derbyshire. A large example of an earthwork henge that does not contain a stone circle or any standing stones though it may have done at some point.
Above, Hob Hurst's house, a prehistoric burial cairn that is now somewhat overgrown. In the foreground we see a stone pedestal with the letters VR (Victoria Regina) inscribed. Many of these can be found at sites throughout Derbyshire, they mark the visit of queen Victoria.
Hob Hurst is said to refer to the devil who, in local folktales, resided here.
Above, the ominously named "Murder Stone" located near Whaley Bridge. One shudders to think how this name came to be...
Above, the intricately carved Highwayman Stone in Cheshire. Another unusual name for a standing stone, one theory is that it was a meeting place for bandits in the isolated countryside. Another is that bandits would wait here to rob unsuspecting travelers.
Above, the Bridestones located on the Bosley Cloud near Congleton. An impressive example of a neolithic stone aged burial cairn. This cairn is the only surviving example from a site that was once 100 metres long and containing three separate cairns and surrounded by a stone circle. Unfortunately, during the 1800s much of the stone was taken to build roads.
Above is a fine example of a saxon cross found in Brailsford, Derbyshire. Though the stone would have originally been much bigger, the carving on the lower part of the cross is very unusual.
Above, Loachbrook long barrow, near Congleton, Cheshire. This is one of the largest examples of a long barrow in the area but often goes unnoticed by passers-by. This photo does not do the scale of it justice but you can tell from the 20-odd trees planted on it that it covers an extensive area.
Above, Arbor Low stone circle, Derbyshire is one of the largest stone circles in the country and certainly in the midlands. It is built on the convergance of a series of ancient lay lines and it is said that those who stand in the middle can feel the energy. The scale of the site suggests it to be an area of great importance in ancient Britain.
The Bowstones, Cheshire, two stumps taken from two early Christian saxon crosses which were discovered in a field in the 1900s. The origin of the name is unknown.
Above, the bronze age trible settlement of Ty Mawr on the North west side of the Isle of Anglesey, Wales. A number of circular hut bases are visible on the hillside and the settlement looks to have housed around 40 people. The settlement is quite far away from any fresh water source and is rather exposed to the elements, it appears to be a quite impractical location for a village.
Above is the Din Lligwy, a more substantial settlement in Anglesey. This site is much bigger than the one at Ty Mawr and is located on the south east of the island. The two sites are good examples of how living conditions differed from clan to clan in a small area. This site appears to be much more solidly built and more appropriately sheltered.
Above, Thor's cave, located in the Manifold valley, Derbyshire. Excavations inside the cave have produced fossils of the tooth of a very big prehistoric cat, most likely a sabre-toothed tiger. The climb up to the cave is very steep.
Above, Doll Tor, a bronze age pagan stone circle near Stanton Moor, Derbyshire. The circle consists of 6 standing stones some of which were broken during excavations and repaired with cement. The site is still visited by druids to this day.
Above, the corkstone on Stanton Moor. One of many large glacial erratic stones situated on the moor, most likely deposited during the last ice age. You can see footholes carved into the rock for people to climb.
Above is another of the glacial erratic boulders on Stanton moor. This one is called the Eagle stone most likely due to it's appearence, it is possible, by use of the imagination, to see an eagle's head in the top centre and 2 wings either side.
Above, The Bullring henge, Doveholes, Derbyshire. A large example of an earthwork henge that does not contain a stone circle or any standing stones though it may have done at some point.
Above, Hob Hurst's house, a prehistoric burial cairn that is now somewhat overgrown. In the foreground we see a stone pedestal with the letters VR (Victoria Regina) inscribed. Many of these can be found at sites throughout Derbyshire, they mark the visit of queen Victoria.
Hob Hurst is said to refer to the devil who, in local folktales, resided here.
Above, the ominously named "Murder Stone" located near Whaley Bridge. One shudders to think how this name came to be...
Above, the intricately carved Highwayman Stone in Cheshire. Another unusual name for a standing stone, one theory is that it was a meeting place for bandits in the isolated countryside. Another is that bandits would wait here to rob unsuspecting travelers.
Above, the Bridestones located on the Bosley Cloud near Congleton. An impressive example of a neolithic stone aged burial cairn. This cairn is the only surviving example from a site that was once 100 metres long and containing three separate cairns and surrounded by a stone circle. Unfortunately, during the 1800s much of the stone was taken to build roads.
Above is a fine example of a saxon cross found in Brailsford, Derbyshire. Though the stone would have originally been much bigger, the carving on the lower part of the cross is very unusual.
Above, Loachbrook long barrow, near Congleton, Cheshire. This is one of the largest examples of a long barrow in the area but often goes unnoticed by passers-by. This photo does not do the scale of it justice but you can tell from the 20-odd trees planted on it that it covers an extensive area.
Above, Arbor Low stone circle, Derbyshire is one of the largest stone circles in the country and certainly in the midlands. It is built on the convergance of a series of ancient lay lines and it is said that those who stand in the middle can feel the energy. The scale of the site suggests it to be an area of great importance in ancient Britain.
The Bowstones, Cheshire, two stumps taken from two early Christian saxon crosses which were discovered in a field in the 1900s. The origin of the name is unknown.
Bewcastle, Cumbria
Rural Cumbria is an area rich in a wide variety of historical features. It contains well preserved sites relating to the many tribes and peoples who have inhabited the area over the last several thousand years. In northern Cumbria one can find evidence of settlements dating back to the Stoneage, through the Bronze and Iron ages, the Celtic period, the Roman occupation, the Viking settlements right up to the present day. The area in close proximity to Hadrian's Wall is rich in Roman artifacts and remains. Below are some photos taken in the tiny village of Bewcastle, just north of Hadrians Wall. While the origin of the 'caslte' in Bewcastle is unknown, it is believed to refer to the remains of the Roman fort in the village. The main object of interest in the village is the Viking cross in the church yard, one of the tallest and best preserved in Britain.
Above: The remains of what is believed to be a Roman fort. The village is very close to Hadrians wall and it is likely that the first fortification on the sight was built during the Roman occupation. It is likely that the ruins may have been added to or altered at a later date.
Above: Bewcastle's superbly well preserved Viking cross. The carvings on the side are not unlike those found on Celtic crosses. Ever willing to adapt, it is possible that the Vikings incorporated Celtic paterns into their own symbology after they settled. The top of the cross is believed to have been discovered nearby but is stored in a different location.
Above: The other face of the cross depicts what appear to be kings or Viking leaders. It is impossible to determine exactly who or what event the images relate too but it may be to celebrate a coronation, royal wedding or a victory over a rival ruler. It may also depict figures from Norse mythology or folk tales.
Above: The remains of what is believed to be a Roman fort. The village is very close to Hadrians wall and it is likely that the first fortification on the sight was built during the Roman occupation. It is likely that the ruins may have been added to or altered at a later date.
Above: Bewcastle's superbly well preserved Viking cross. The carvings on the side are not unlike those found on Celtic crosses. Ever willing to adapt, it is possible that the Vikings incorporated Celtic paterns into their own symbology after they settled. The top of the cross is believed to have been discovered nearby but is stored in a different location.
Above: The other face of the cross depicts what appear to be kings or Viking leaders. It is impossible to determine exactly who or what event the images relate too but it may be to celebrate a coronation, royal wedding or a victory over a rival ruler. It may also depict figures from Norse mythology or folk tales.
Create a free website at Webs.com