The Star Temple of Avalon -Glastonbury Ancient Observatory Revealed
by Nicholas R Mann and Philippa Glasson
Foreword by Robin Heath
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| Countless
myths and legends attest to the ancient sanctity of the Isle of Avalon.
Yet archaeologists have long been puzzled by the absence of material
evidence for prehistoric activity upon the hills of Glastonbury. This book
provides decisive proof of the island’s especial importance to our
distant ancestors, by showing how its unique conjunction of landscape with
key celestial movements would have indicated its extraordinary sanctity to
Neolithic peoples, even to their Mesolithic forebears. Because of the
intimate relationship between its holy hills and the pathways of sun, moon
and stars, Avalon would have been understood as an exceptionally potent
spiritual sanctuary, a place of otherworldly power. Nicholas Mann and Philippa Glasson reveal the site of an ancient astronomical observatory at the heart of the Avalonian landscape. They show how prehistoric sky-watchers appear to have modelled key parts of the island, including the Tor and the summit of St Edmund’s Hill, to refine their celestial observations. The Isle of Avalon was truly an ancient “temple of the stars”. |
"What
Nicholas Mann and Philippa Glasson have done in this book is to present a long
overdue account of how the natural landscape features of the Glastonbury area
provided an astronomical impetus for the importance of Glastonbury in
prehistoric times, revealing a previously missing link between the Isle of
Avalon’s prehistoric period and the later Celtic, early Christian and Monastic
overlays that the town of Glastonbury has enjoyed.
The prehistoric astronomy of the area, as revealed in this book, elucidates much
of the later history and many of the myths and legends that have accreted around
the town’s famous Tor, its Abbey and the surrounding hills.
Even Glastonbury’s primary symbol, the vesica piscis, is seen as
naturally arising from the geometry of the skies above Glastonbury in
prehistoric times. The information
presented here places new pieces of the Avalon jigsaw in their correct position,
offering the reader a richer and more meaningful history of this awesomely
important place".
Extracts from foreword by Robin Heath, author
of Sun, Moon and Earth, Alexander Thom
Cracking the Stone Age Code, The Lost Science of Measuring the Earth:
Discovering the Sacred Geometry of the Ancients, etc.
“This is a very exciting and plausible
new theory, which seriously deserves archaeological investigation.”
Professor Ronald Hutton, Bristol University, author of Witches, Druids and King Arthur, The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isle, etc.
“By relating earth to sky and sky to earth, Nicholas Mann and Philippa Glasson have made a new approach to elucidating the Avalonian spell."
Geoffrey Ashe, author of Avalonian Quest, The Rediscovery of King Arthur, King Arthur's Avalon: The Story of Glastonbury, etc.
“Glastonbury is famous for the legends
that identify it as the first Christian foundation in England.
But what about its prehistory? Nicholas
Mann and Philippa Glasson’s book opens the way to a new appraisal of
Glastonbury’s ancient past. From this study of local landmarks and prehistoric
monuments a picture is formed of Glastonbury as a centre of Neolithic and Bronze
Age ritual in connection with astronomical observations.”
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Nicholas Mann is an internationally published author of many books including ‘The Isle of Avalon,’ ‘Glastonbury Tor,’ ‘The Sacred Geometry of Washington DC,’ ‘The Silver Branch Cards’ and ‘Sedona: Sacred Earth.’ He lives in Glastonbury.
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| Philippa Glasson is an astrologer. The author, with Nicholas Mann, of ‘Avalon’s Red and White Springs,’ she worked as an academic for many years before moving to Glastonbury. |
Format 234mm x 156mm. 124 pages. 57 Illustrations
Hard Back with Dust Jacket.
Limited edition (500), signed and numbered.
ISBN: 978-0-9555970-5-3 £14.99
Publishing date: 31st October 2007
Paperback: Format 234mm x 156mm. 124 pages. 57 Illustrations
ISBN: 978-0-9555970-8-4 £11.99
Publishing date: 31st October 2007
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