Prehistoric Britain from the Air

Prehistoric Britain from the Air — Aerial Photography in Archaeology by Janet Bord & Colin Bord (1998) is a striking visual and scholarly survey of Britain’s ancient landscapes, capturing prehistoric sites — henges, stone circles, hillforts, burial mounds and more — from the unique perspective of the sky. With dramatic aerial photography by Jason Hawkes, this book reveals traces of ancient human activity and settlement patterns that are often invisible from the ground. The elevated viewpoint transforms familiar monuments into new forms of beauty and mystery, inviting readers to appreciate Britain’s prehistoric heritage as part of its physical landscape.

In Prehistoric Britain from the Air, Janet and Colin Bord combine archaeological insight with accessible commentary, decoding myths and legends, and explaining what each site tells us about the ways of life of early inhabitants — how they built, lived, worshipped, defended themselves, or farmed. The text walks the reader through Neolithic camps, Bronze Age stone circles, Iron Age forts and other prehistoric features, reconstructing how ancient communities may have used these sites, and the role of landscape in their social and ritual life.

Published in 1998, this edition remains a valuable resource for history buffs, archaeologists, students of British prehistory, and lovers of landscape photography. Prehistoric Britain from the Air stands out as both a visual treasure and educational guide — a rare blend of beauty, scholarship and storytelling. Whether used as a teaching reference or a collector’s piece, it offers readers a fresh, elevated perspective on Britain’s deep past.