Neolithic

The world’s first civilizations, in 3500 BC, were often called riverine cultures. Mesopotamia, ‘the land between the rivers’ and those on the Nile typify these. Riverine [...]

Flint powered the first industrial age might be a slight exaggeration. Yet, this amazing mineral was a vital commodity to early peoples. It was used to make tools like axes, arrow and spear [...]

Chalk is familiar to us in the white cliffs of Dover. They are notable because chalk is relatively rare around the world and gives our island a unique appearance. The use of chalk from the [...]

My pagan ancestor Zuri is published and comes alive today, five years after she was conceived. She will burst into the world and, in her quiet and unassuming way, will show the planet what women [...]

I love the sea and its ever changing perspectives. For certain, hardly a day passes that I don’t look out and across the bay to The Needles. All that light, ozone and clear air; no wonder [...]

Professor Brian Cox recently introduced a BBC programme on music. It utilised the profs planetary skills because it was all about Holst’s suite called The Planets. He spoke about each [...]

A theme of my forthcoming book is about how much the past, including the prehistoric past, still touches modern life. The joy of getting back in touch with the land and even utilising the beauty [...]

A dubious benefit of a failing prostate is that I get up for a pee at least once in the night. I always look out and at 4.10 am on the 30 June I saw a tiny crescent moon. I took this photo but [...]

Lundy, what a joy it was to visit in May 2019. Isolation, romance, mystery and, sadly, even cruelty, are words that apply to the island. It makes me realise how much Britain has to offer. The [...]

Having lived all over the UK, you may well have found me in some remote and ancient spots. For instance, the hillfort on Caradoc, a steep hill in Shropshire. Or maybe the cockpit above Eamont [...]