Stories of the Stones: Imagining Prehistory in Britain, Ireland and Brittany

Stories of the Stones: Imagining Prehistory in Britain, Ireland and Brittany (Hard Back)

By Paul Robichaud

How have prehistoric monuments been understood, feared, celebrated and reimagined across the centuries? Stories of the Stones traces the rich cultural afterlife of standing stones, megaliths and earthworks across Britain, Ireland and Brittany, revealing how these ancient sites have inspired myth, folklore, art and popular culture from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Drawing on a wide range of sources, Paul Robichaud explores how places such as Stonehenge and Newgrange – alongside lesser‑known local monuments – have been woven into medieval legend, antiquarian scholarship, Romantic poetry, folk‑horror cinema and contemporary music and art. While the original purposes of these prehistoric structures remain elusive, the stories told about them offer powerful insights into the beliefs, anxieties and imaginations of later societies.

Richly illustrated and accessible yet scholarly, this engaging book examines how ancient landscapes continue to shape cultural identity and emotional response. Stories of the Stones will appeal to readers interested in prehistory, archaeology, folklore, landscape, architecture and the enduring power of place. 

Available from the RIAS Bookshop.