English Heritage Book of Shrines and Sacrifice

Based on new findings over the last 40 years, this book explores the ritualistic and cultic practices in Britain during the transitional period between paganism and early Christianity. A major theme running through the book is the continuity, or otherwise, between the cult sites, symbolism and rituals of the different periods: Iron Age, Roman and post-Roman. In the last 40 years, shrines at Lydney, South Cadbury, Uley, Bath and Maiden Castle and the great Roman cemeteries outside Winchester and Dorchester, have been excavated, together with a great number of other religious sites dating from the Iron Age, Roman and post-Roman periods. The new information they provide is analyzed in detail - the style of cult buildings, deities worshipped, ritual practices, offerings and sacrifices. The author examines points of continuity between the Celtic religion and early Christianity.