Pagan Britain / Ronald Hutton.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hutton, Ronald, Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Paganism--Great Britain--History.

Paganism.

Great Britain--Religion--To 449.

Great Britain.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (497 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Haven, CT : Yale University Press, [2014]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Britain's pagan past, with its mysterious monuments, atmospheric sites, enigmatic artifacts, bloodthirsty legends, and cryptic inscriptions, is both enthralling and perplexing to a resident of the twenty-first century. In this ambitious and thoroughly up-to-date book, Ronald Hutton reveals the long development, rapid suppression, and enduring cultural significance of paganism, from the Paleolithic Era to the coming of Christianity. He draws on an array of recently discovered evidence and shows how new findings have radically transformed understandings of belief and 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 and 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 and inspires with the originality of his insights.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

A NOTE ON DEFINITIONS

Illustrations

PREFACE

1. THE PALAEOLITHIC AND MESOLITHIC

2. The earlier neolithic

3. THE LATE NEOLITHIC AND EARLY BRONZE AGE

4. LATE PREHISTORY

5. The roman impact

6. THE CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY

7. THE LEGACY OF BRITISH PAGANISM

CONCLUSION

NOTES

INDEX

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 24. Apr 2020)

ISBN:

0-300-19858-2

OCLC:

1024019038