About TNA

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”

—  Albert Einstein

The Northern Antiquarian is primarily concerned with recording the archaeology, folklore and other aspects of stone circles, standing stones, holy wells, prehistoric tombs, sacred hills, old stone crosses, hillforts, prehistoric rock art, maypoles and other early ‘sacred sites’ across the British Isles.  The archaeological remains are listed county by county, and by ‘site types’, enabling easy access to locate any given site — here.

Each ancient site has its own ‘Site Profile’, describing how to reach it, then you can read about the archaeological and historical details relating to the place; followed by any relevant folklore, which can and does relate information on fairy-lore, leys, Fortean events, magickal rites and other pagan material that’s of known relevance.  In the event that YOU would like to add a site to TNA, you can do that by simply signing-up to a WordPress account and then follow the procedures — here.

More recently The Northern Antiquarian seems to be emerging into an increasing group of disparate individuals whose primary interests are exploring and seeking previously undiscovered megalithic and early religious monuments  in Britain — and with some success.  This will continue and, no doubt, further archaeological sites will be discovered as a result of future surveys and digs.  In the event that you would like to participate in explorations of archaeological landscapes, please contact us, telling us briefly of your background and experience.

The Northern Antiquarian supports the work of amateur researchers and enthusiasts.  We do not support the delusion that the professionals know best in this field.  In seeking out megalithic sites, always remember the words of Aubrey Burl (1999), the world’s leading authority on stone circles and such things.  He told:

“It is strange how rarely advances in stone circle research have been made by an archaeologist… Most of the discoveries about the rings have been made by non-archaeologists, surveyors, engineers, clerics, astronomers, solicitors, from the 17th century onwards, an illustrious pageant of true amateurs…”

This applies equally to the study of petroglyphs, holy wells and most antiquarian arenas.  It is perhaps time for an ‘independent antiquarian society’ to take form, based not wholly on one’s intellectual capacity, but more on the zeal and enthusiasm of people who love their field of study.  Just a thought…..

All communication regarding this site and archaeological records or queries should be addressed to Paul Bennett at megalithix@gmail.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

This site would never have been possible without the considerable help of legendary web-design dood, Madame Gabby and his schizophrenic cohort, Miss Gay Feckner! I salute you sirs! They do the lay-out – I merely add the words!  And last but not least, a HUGE thanks must go to the deviant Paul ‘Littlestone’ Wills, professional halfwit Graham ‘Goffik’ Orris, and the ever-angry Nigel Swift, without whose collective encouragement this site would never have seen the light of day. Your efforts are to be commended, good sirs!

Copyright Notice:

Sorry to have to write this, but there are a small number of plagiarists, liars and thieves out there in the archaeological and megalithic world, who edit websites, write articles, etc. - and it is wholly to them that this message is to.  In the event that you use any material from TNA,  please be respectful and give credit to this website and/or the writer or discoverer of any given site. Please give any credit to ‘The Northern Antiquarian’ with a link to the respective web-page. I respectfully credit any material I find to its source and would only hope that other people do the same – though know that a small minority of people are quite selfish and have little respect for other people’s work.  And they know exactly who they are… Many thanks.

All entries & material on this site © Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian (unless otherwise stated)

“The man who sat on the ground meditating on life and its meaning, accepting the kinship of all creatures and acknowledging unity with the universe of things, was infusing into his being the true essence of civilization.  And when man left this form of development, his humanization was retarded in growth.”