Books, research and articles
Four non-fiction history books, peer-reviewed research and more than 2,200 articles on prehistoric archaeology and ancient sciences.
Ropes and Ruins
An exploration of Neolithic Orkney that redefines our understanding of ancient craftsmanship. Through the geometry and architecture of Orkney's megalithic sites, it reveals a long-overlooked prehistoric technology: rope production and measuring skills.
The book challenges Professor Alexander Thom's theories about elite astronomer-priests, and shows how ropes, geometry and stonework combined to create one of history's most extraordinary prehistoric landscapes.
More books
Archaeoastronomy, mythology and sacred geography
Architect of Liberty: How America’s Scottish President Blocked the Slave State
From the windswept crags of northern Scotland to the head of a revolutionary superpower - discover how a Scottish President of America changed the map of liberty forever. Uncover the forgotten tactical alliances, secret treaties, and battlefield masterstrokes that shattered an old empire and forged a global legacy of freedom.
Sysa Hillock: Viking Astronomy in Folklore
This study examines Sysa Hillock as a complex astronomical site, serving both as an observatory and a centre for solar and lunar worship. Its significance, rooted in the Neolithic period, is demonstrated by its alignment with celestial events. Sysa's influence continued into the Viking Age, as reflected in myths like the Prophecy of Audna, where twelve Valkyries weave a web of twelve sections. This myth is shown to enshrine Sysa's central role in both ancient astronomical practices and the organisation of territorial space.
Astronomical Insights in Scottish Faerie Lore
This study examines the myth of the Piper of Windy Ha' from the north coast of Scotland, uncovering its encoded geographical and astronomical significance. Through an analysis of the myth’s narrative, the article reveals a solstice alignment between Windy Ha’ and Sysa Hillock, suggesting that the myth preserved ancient astronomical knowledge. By integrating cartographic methods and archaeoastronomical theory, the study demonstrates how such myths functioned as vehicles for understanding seasonal cycles and the Sun’s role in agricultural practices. This research highlights the connection between myth, landscape, and celestial events in the Neolithic worldview.
Squaring And Levelling Britain’s Symbolic Kerbstones
This research investigates over 6,400 kilometres (4,000 miles) of British urban areas, analysing geographic coordinates derived from approximately 3,000 photographs of symbolically inscribed kerbstones. The study reveals a distinct pattern within Glasgow’s urban landscape, offering a novel perspective on Victorian-era Masonic practices through this unique geographical lens.