Byways in British Archaeology

by Walter Johnson

Overview

Originally published in 1912, this volume provides a detailed and enthusiastically written history of Britain's churches and their churchyards. With particular emphasis on the concept of 'folk memory', a diminishing means of recalling and understanding the past, Johnson's study looks at material archaeological discoveries whilst also addressing the significance of place names, site orientation, folktales and pagan prehistory. In this well-illustrated and informative work, Johnson's extensive research navigates the complexities of Britain's religious past, producing a series of fascinating interrelated arguments. Johnson addresses numerous topics, including the construction of churches on pagan sites, the churchyard yew and the survival of past rituals within burial customs. This book provides a detailed and far-reaching investigation of the archaeology and architecture of hundreds of churches across England and Wales, and will be enjoyed by anybody with an interest in British archaeology, or the histories of British churches and Christian traditions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781023548632
Publisher:	Anson Street Press
Publication date:	03/29/2025
Pages:	484
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.06(d)

Table of Contents

1. Churches of Pagan sites; 2. Churches on Pagan sites (continued); 3. The secular uses of the Church fabric; 4. The secular use of the Church fabric (continued); 5. The orientation of churches; 6. The orientation of graves; 7. Survivals in burial customs; 8. The folk-lore of the cardinal points; 9. The churchyard yew; 10. The cult of the horse; 11. 'The Labour'd Ox'; 12. Retrospect; Addenda; Index.