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The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales Wales

Submitted by TimPrevett on Monday, 14 August 2006  Page Views: 16655

Neolithic and Bronze Age

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The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales
The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales submitted by TimPrevett : The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by George Nash This long awaited book describes 100 of the most significant chambered tombs in Wales in eight regional groupings. George Nash discusses the Neolithic period and the 5 types of chambered tomb known from the time of our early farming ancestors. 256 pages, many b/w plans and photos - (Logaston 2006) Available to purchase... (Vote or comment on this photo)
This long awaited book describes 100 of the most significant chambered tombs in Wales in eight regional groupings. George Nash discusses the Neolithic period and the 5 types of chambered tomb known from the time of our early farming ancestors. 256 pages, many b/w plans and photos - (Logaston 2006). ISBN 190439633X

Judging the book by cover, first impressions are very attractive. It is nicely presented, just under A4 Landscape size. Mercifully, the cover does do justice to the contents.

In depth archaeological notes, plans and photos with scale, extensive reference to previous works and others' research gives a full, accessible interpretation of the monuments examined therein. The opening chapter is a comprehensive overview of the Neolithic in Wales, with reference to their British and Western European contexts, and pertinent commentary on climate, trade and so on.

The century of megalithic sites covered are grouped logically, with each group examined in turn, site by site. A brief conclusion pulls the subject matter together in a satisfying manner. A bibliography, appendices, and index add to the usability of the publication.

A few distractions may irk the pedant; there is no obvious explanation of abbreviations used, and some spelling mistakes (typographical errors, and inconsistent spelling of at least one monument).

A surprising omission is that no instructions to get to sites are given, or notes on access rights or restrictions. The author hopes "...that the book will be used to visit these most interesting of prehistoric monuments". Given every site included (and one expects many more) was visited to write the book, none of the information harvested from the field survey concerning access is presented.

Nevertheless, a professionally informed incisive archaeological perspective makes this a very valuable addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in Welsh prehistory.

Review by TimP
Contributor Bio for TimPrevett: Based in Warrington, contributing since 2012. Favourite site: Taversoe Tuick. Occupation: Creative Media.

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"The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales" | Login/Create an Account | 14 News and Comments
  
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Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by Anonymous on Tuesday, 29 August 2006
Concerning bad reviews, no, not for many years. But you are right. It seems to be an inherent trait of prehistorians. What I find extremely amusing is that this is the one strand of archaeology we know so little about but the opinions raised against colleagues etc through reviews, one would think that we are looking at an era that answers all questions to its past…..but it doesn’t.
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Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by TimPrevett on Friday, 25 August 2006
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Archaeology in Wales can be obtained from the CBA here, cheers, Tim.
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Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by Anonymous on Friday, 25 August 2006
Just a thought, but for those who do not know the Welsh literature well and wish to be kept informed about what has been discovered recently, should think about subscribing to 'Archaeology in Wales'. I am not sure what each volume costs but it has a wealth of information including the dreaded book reviews, sometimes written by bitter and twisted people with little else to do. The collation of site data, though, and the more extended papers are invaluable.

George Nash
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    Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by Andy B on Friday, 25 August 2006
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    Did you get a 'less than favourable' review then George :-) Unfair! I find the Prehistoric Society reviews are a bit like that - seemingly written by people trying to score points off one another to show how clever they are.
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Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by Anonymous on Tuesday, 22 August 2006
For those concerned with Welsh spelling etc. It should be noted that Welsh as well as English is dialectic and constantly changing. When researching this book I found that there were usually two, three even four different names for one monument. The place-name change could be as simple as an added or subtracted 'l' or 'f'. I therefore had the place-names checked by a Welsh speaker and as a result careful thought was given to how each site should labelled. Many Megalithic Portal readers working in Wales will have faced a similar dilemma.

George Nash
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    Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by TimPrevett on Friday, 25 August 2006
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    Hi George; the site in question was Llety'r Filiast, which is has one L in the contents page, but consistently two 'Ls' within the chapter concerned; the other was a missing 'a' on the text underneath the Kings Quoit sketch on page 21.

    It is a fine book, and if such things prevented someone from getting the book, then they need a good talking to! Next time we meet in Chester, perhaps you can give me a good talking to? Cheers, Tim.
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Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by TimPrevett on Friday, 18 August 2006
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I think it's an editorial / proof reading oversight - one 'l' in one place, and double 'll' in another.
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    Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by PAB on Saturday, 19 August 2006
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    On the subject of placenames, anyone visiting the sites in the book will probably find it worth having a copy of the ONS guide to Welsh placenames with them - it really does help make sense of the mutations etc and adds richness to any journey through Wales, whether real or virtual!

    Available via the ONS site:

    "http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/freefun/didyouknow/placenames/Welsh_guide.pdf"

    pab
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    Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by TimPrevett on Saturday, 19 August 2006
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    Thanks for the link PAB - but either directly or indirectly, it crashes my browser, or seizes it up immediately.

    On joining the Welsh Stone group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WelshStone/ several files are sent, including one on place name meanings.
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Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by sem on Thursday, 17 August 2006
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inconsittstant spelling offf wwelshch monuments ?
It's about time that you newcomers from the East learned the language of the stones.
Good luck, you'll need it.
Sem
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Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by TimPrevett on Thursday, 17 August 2006
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Not familiar with that book, sorry; found a review by a phd student here
http://www.assemblage.group.shef.ac.uk/issue8/evans.html which gives me the impression that it's aimed at academia, whereas George's book is academically informed, but for a wider readership.
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Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by ryszard on Wednesday, 16 August 2006
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How does it compare with "Places of Special Virtue, Megaliths in the Neolithic Landscapes of Wales" ?
That one is by Vicky Cummings & prof Alasdair Whittle of Cardiff University. Deals especially with the landscape setting, but has plans, scale etc.of 104 Welsh chambers arranged geographically. Published by Oxbow Books in 2004.

There is also an earlier discussion of these, 134 of them actually just in SW Wales but some rejected by the author. This is;-
"The Chambered Tombs of SW Wales" by Christopher Thompson Barker, also Oxbow, in 1992. That has an extensive Bibliography.

Mishkin--- For Garn Turne, go to Wolf's Castle, ask for Parc-y-Llyn Nursing home, go there,look south over the road wall about 1/2 km from the Home-- chambered tomb at OS 982 266, but that ain't GT.
For GT, walk 1/2 km along wall of Home on road to Little Newcastle, turn left,on the road there & walk along it 1/2 km, look over the wall to North -- ***** Garn Turne Rocks & GT chamber at 979 273.
Another...

Read the rest of this post...
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Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by TimPrevett on Monday, 14 August 2006
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Yes, this is clearly written too - and AFAIK, a unique volume, so worth it.
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Re: The Architecture of Death - Neolithic Chambered Tombs in Wales by mishkin on Monday, 14 August 2006
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His Monuments in the Landscape volume 5 - have directions, and I used it constantly when I was in Pembroke last March though I never found Garne Turne, round and round I went, all I found was Dolmen Cottage...
Will get the book because he's a good writer, and its a fascinating subject..

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