Paul Robichaud, "Stories of the Stones: Imagining Prehistory in Britain, Ireland and Brittany" (Reaktion, 2026)

About this episode

Dr. Paul Robichaud discusses his book exploring the reimagining of ancient monuments in Britain, Ireland, and Brittany through various cultural lenses.

Stories of the Stones: Imagining Prehistory in Britain, Ireland and Brittany (Reaktion, 2026) by Dr. Paul Robichaud explores how ancient monuments – standing stones, megaliths and earthworks – have been reimagined across the centuries in folklore, literature, art and popular culture. From medieval myths to Romantic fascination and from folk-horror cinema to Julian Cope, the powerful stories inspired by these enigmatic sites reflect the beliefs and anxieties of each era. Spanning Britain, Ireland and Brittany, the book includes iconic places such as Stonehenge and Newgrange, as well as lesser-known sites steeped in local lore. While the monuments' original meanings remain mysterious, our interpretations reveal deep emotional and cultural connections to the ancient landscape. Richly illustrated and wide-ranging, this book is ideal for readers interested in prehistoric monuments, storytelling traditions and the enduring power of place. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil…

People in this episode

Host: Miranda Melcher

Guest: Dr Paul Robichaud

Topics covered

• prehistory
• ancient monuments
• folklore
• literature
• art
• popular culture

Keywords

• standing stones
• megaliths
• earthworks
• Stonehenge
• Newgrange
• Romantic fascination
• folk-horror cinema

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Stories of the Stones: Imagining Prehistory in Britain, Ireland and Brittany

Books & works: Stories of the Stones: Imagining Prehistory in Britain, Ireland and Brittany"

Places: Britain, Ireland, Brittany

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