Book description
An authoritative and radical rethinking of the history of Ancient
Britain and Ancient Ireland, based on remarkable new archaeological finds.
British history is traditionally regarded as having started with the
Roman Conquest. But this is to ignore half a million years of prehistory
that still exert a profound influence. Here Francis Pryor examines the
great ceremonial landscapes of Ancient Britain and Ireland - Stonehenge,
Seahenge, Avebury and the Bend of the Boyne - as well as the discarded
artefacts of day-to-day life, to create an astonishing portrait of our ancestors.
This major re-revaluation of pre-Roman Britain, made possible in part
by aerial photography and coastal erosion, reveals a much more
sophisticated life in Ancient Britain and Ireland than has previously
been supposed.
This edition does not include illustrations. 'Written with pace and
passion…immensely readable.' Tom Holland, Daily Telegraph
'It bounds along, wonderfully enlivened by Pryor's earthy enthusiasm.
If you want to be introduced painlessly to the fascinating debates
surrounding our British past, then “Britain BC” is the book for you.'
Barry Cunliffe, New Scientist
'Francis Pryor is a modern field archaeologist with a reputation second
to none. He has written a book as successful and exciting as its
ambition is huge…lucid and engaging.' Alan Garner, The Times
'There are enough curious facts, contentious theories and bizarre
hypotheses here to hold the interest of anyone concerned with the unique
and peculiar story of these islands.' Independent on Sunday
'Beautifully written, exciting and extremely good…an essential read.'
British Archaeology
Praise for Francis Pryor's television series 'Britain BC':
'Fascinating…the evangelical Pryor paints a vivid portrait of pre-Roman
society that tackles received wisdom about what was going on here in the
Stone, Bronze and Iron ages.' Daily Telegraph
'Pryor leaps about the country at a cracking pace, his big personality
making sure we never get bored by the scant and rarefied scraps that are
his stock-in-trade.' Observer Dr Francis Pryor, author of the
acclaimed 'Seahenge', 'Britain BC', 'Britain AD' and 'Britain in the
Middle Ages: An Archaeological History', has spent thirty years studying
the prehistory of the Fens. He has excavated sites as diverse as Bronze
Age farms and religious sites, field systems and entire Iron Age
villages, as well as barrows, 'henges' and a large ceremonial centre
dating to 3800 BC. He is President of the Council for British
Archaeology, and frequently appears on Channel 4's popular archaeology
programme 'Time Team'. In 2003 he wrote and presented a two-part
television series on 'Britain BC', and in 2004 made a three-part series
on 'Britain AD'.
