Rock Idols Dartmoor PDF EBOOK

Fantastical yet natural, Dartmoor?s 280-million-year-old tors are among the most iconic landmarks in Southern Britain. Victorian antiquarians described them as ?rock idols?, believing them to be stone deities worshipped by the Druids. Thousands of years before that, they inspired our ancestors who built ceremonial stone rows and circles aligned with them. Today, the tors are loved by walkers, climbers and locals, who visit in their thousands every year.
Rock Idols is a hymn to these mysterious monoliths, in which the authors share tales of their trips to 28 of the tors. With stunning original drawings, the book delves into the moor?s archaeology, folklore and geology. It is a meditation on the human relationship with ancient stones and wild places, and the hold they have over our imagination.
Rock idols tells the story of Dartmoor through the lens of its tors. With captivating original artwork, personal stories and practical information, discover why these ancient stones continue to fascinate us.
Hike to the dramatic heights of Bench Tor,
where the River Dart carves its way through the valley below
Explore the twin tors of Blackingstone Rock and Heltor, linked by legend and geology
Stand where medieval tin miners once held parliament at Crockern Tor, where the spirit of ?Old Crockern? still inspires
Experience the haunting beauty of the Dewerstone, its sheer cliffs rising above the River Plym, shrouded in myth and cloaked in Devon rainforest.
Alex Murdin is an artist who has lived on Dartmoor for over 25 years. Inspired by the moor’s granite landscape, he writes and draws to reconnect human and non-human worlds. Sophie Pierce is a writer and photographer drawn to the wild landscapes and ancient history of Dartmoor. She is fascinated by its emotional power and passionate about sharing its stories.
www.lithicality.space
www.sophiepierce.co.uk