Sacred Stones
Sacred Stones by
Gene Kangas, Art Professor Emeritus.
Following two years of research spanning the globe, the new book
Sacred Stones is
now available.
Sacred Stones features an intriguing array of ancient stone
carvings located in prehistoric sites as well as personalized sculpted stones
found in more recent cemeteries. Monuments highlighted in the book are stone
sculptures that are unique, expressive and timeless. They reflect their
particular time and place in world history. Each also permanently embodies
qualities of the culture and geographical area where it originated.
The time period of the book's survey begins with the earliest large-scale
primeval and primitive public works to the present. That means puzzling
megalithic environments like
Stonehenge and
Gavrinis are visually juxtaposed against purely
sentimental and sometimes whimsical expressions created in modern eras. Images
of precious stone pets to awesome pyramids illustrate the vast diversity and
similarity of thinking, cultures and beliefs held throughout time. This
photographic survey also includes enduring examples of primordial cave
paintings, petroglyphs and geoglyphs.
Sacred Stones is a soft bound book 208 pages in
length. It abounds with hundreds of intriguing black and white photographs
provided by over ninety professional and amateur photographers from around the
world. Approximately fifty countries worldwide are represented by images chosen
from nearly 1,000 photographs. Sacred Stones was published in a limited edition of just 2,000 copies.
Purchase
Sacred Stones at
Creekside Bookstore
The
Sacred Stones project kicked off in early 2006 with a global search
for unusual and special "stone markers" that had universal qualities, uniqueness
or were special in their own way. The call was answered with contributions
by 90 Photographers.
Irish sites included in
Sacred Stones: Legananny Dolmen, Carrickglass Dolmen, Ballycrovane
Ogham Stone, Beaghmore Stone Circles, Poulenabrone Dolman, and Janus Figure on Boa Island.
Sacred Stones serves to define those stone carvings and decorated stones
located in cemeteries from past centuries and in special ancient sites from
thousands of years earlier, around the world. Liberal dictionary definitions of
the word "sacred" include - dedicated or devoted exclusively to a single use,
purpose or person; worthy of reverence, recognition, or respect; and set apart
for worship / contemplation.
To those, the author adds – awe inspiring, honor,
specially inspired, commemorative, and / or mystical and magical. Stone monuments
represented in the book are not just be overtly religious ones but
rather those stone sculptures that are unique, expressive, and timeless. They
also reflect their particular time and place in world history. They reflect qualities
of the culture and geographical area where they originated.
The time period of the book's survey begins with the very first large scale
prehistoric and primitive public works to the present. That means mysterious
environments like
Stonehenge will be juxtaposed against purely sentimental pet
markers and personal human recordings created in technically advanced eras.
Boyne Valley Private Day Tour

Immerse yourself in the rich heritage and culture of the Boyne Valley with our full-day private tours.
Visit Newgrange World Heritage site, explore the Hill of Slane, where Saint Patrick famously lit the Paschal fire.
Discover the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of power for the High Kings of Ireland.
Book Now