Stone circles are a diverse monument form which may well
incorporate a complex palimpsest of sites of varying functions and
dates. Multivariate analyses of their architectural variability
provide the basis for a taxonomy which divide the data into 14
distinct types of stone circle. These are argued to form a base for
further research which avoids many of the problems inherent in
simplistic comparisons of stone circles as a whole. A corpus of
stone circles has been compiled. The design, date and distribution
of each stone circle class is examined. In addition, the
controversial hypotheses instigated by Thom, on geometry, metrology
and astronomical orientation, are reviewed and placed within the
more general interpretive framework used here to define stone
circle taxonomy.
The other major theme presented here is an analysis of the
distribution of the 14 stone circle types in relation to
topography, settlement and other monuments. This highlights a
diverse range of patterns which becomes apparent once differential
survival rates are accounted for. At one extreme, 1n peripheral
areas such as the Peak District's East Moors, are simple one to one
correlations of field systems/ca1rnf1elds to small, similarly
designed monuments. Towards the other end of the spectrum, as on
Dartmoor, are complex patterns where hierarchies of different
monument forms exist, which can be argued to function on different
levels; ranging from the purely local to regional meeting places.
Variation in the character of such patterns from region to region
are argued to reflect significant differences in social
organization across Britain. While some of these differences can be
seen in terms of 'core' and 'peripheral' zones, others suggest that
some lowland communities were organized very differently from
those in areas such as Wessex
