SECRET geometry at Avebury stone circle pointing to a lost science is being put under the microscope in a new book celebrating the world wide phenomenon of megaliths.

While Stonehenge is the most famous of monuments of this kind, Megalith: Studies in Stone shows readers the many other sites including Avebury where the complex astronomy and mystery of stone sites can be explored.

The book will be published on the Summer Solstice and include discoveries made at Avebury by writer Evelyn Francis who has been visiting the circles since she was a small child.

Co author John Martineau said: “The use of rare engravings and drawings particularly highlights the perennial fascination that these ancient sites have continued to hold for later civilisations. In an era of religious fragmentation and spiritual questing, these beautiful megalithic temples hark back to a more ancient, integrated vision of the cosmos.

"Stone circles suggest an attempt to bring heaven to earth. Even today, they are soothing and enlivening for body, soul, mind and senses.”

Following 15 years of picture research, Megalith: Studies in Stone is illustrated throughout with a comprehensive collection of antiquarian engravings and plates of megalithic sites into a single volume.

Authors Robin Heath and John Martineau unveil their definitive shortlist of Britain’s most remarkable megaliths:

  1. STONEHENGE, Wiltshire

  2. AVEBURY, Wiltshire

  3. CALLANISH, Outer Hebrides

  4. STANTON DREW, Somerset

  5. RING OF BRODGAR, Orkney

  6. CASTLERIGG, Cumbria

  7. LONG MEG, Cumbria

  8. DRUID’S CIRCLE, Conwy, Wales

  9. SCORHILL, Devon

  10. BOSCAWEN UN, Cornwall

The book will be published on June 21 by Wooden Books