The world’s first detailed prehistoric maps of Britain

The ABC Publishing Group has announced the publication of the world’s first prehistoric maps of Britain. These maps are based on the recently published book by Robert John Langdon titled ‘The Stonehenge Enigma’ which proves that Britain suffered massive ‘Post Glacial Flooding’ directly after the last Ice Age ten thousand years ago, and that mankind placed their ancient sites on the shorelines of these raised waterways.

Stonehenge - surrounded by water on three sides
[Credit: ABC Publishing Group]

The maps are presented on the old ordnance survey first edition that shows the natural ancient environment to a higher degree of detail than subsequent editions. The newly added waterways are colour coded to show how the land would have looked in both the Mesolithic Period (10,000BCE to 4,500BCE) and the Neolithic Period (4,500BCE to 2,500BCE).

“For the first time” says Langdon “archaeologists and historians will be able to understand the features that, until now, have baffled academics”. The newly release maps cover the Stonehenge, Avebury and Old Sarum area of Wiltshire as it has the most prehistoric activity in the country.

“To test the feasibility of my hypothesis, I decided to give it the ultimate test for Wiltshire has the highest concentration of Barrows and Earthworks in the country, so I decided to map the entire district to see if my theory was right or wrong."

The three 1:50 000 maps and six 1:25 000 maps are constructed using a combination of British Geological superficial maps, infrared and photographic satellite images that cover a total of 800 sq. kilometres (500 sq. miles) and incorporates over one thousand ancient monuments, including Round Barrows, Long Barrows, Earthworks and occupation Sites, including for the first-time features that were destroyed by modern farming and Victorian treasure hunters over the last 200 years.

“The results were truly amazing, with over a thousand barrows plotted, only twelve were in the areas we believed to be waterlogged during this prehistoric period. Greater inspection of these monuments showed that they were not as old as believed and built after the waters had receded in recent times. Moreover, the maps showed that every site in the area, including Stonehenge, was built on these waterways and would have been constructed and travelled to by boat as land travel was impossible."

An exhibition of Langdon’s work, including the full range of maps now available to the general public and a new set of maps for the Prehistoric South Downs, which is due to be published during in spring 2014, are at present on display at Ology 12-14 High St in Rottingdean in East Sussex.

Further information and details including pictures of the published maps are found on the ABC web site - Prehistoric Map page