Megalithomania 2010

As ever, the Megalithomania conference, proved to be a high-quality presentation of the latest research into alternative archaeology, archeoastronomy, sacred geography and magical mindscapes. Nothing less than a paradigm-shifting experience.

The weekend conference itself is sandwiched between associated events spanning a whole 6 days - local site tours, a concert and still more talks. No mean feat for organiser Hugh Newman, who had already spent months this year exploring Central America for evidence of pre-Mayan culture (presented in a slideshow on the Sunday).

With speakers ranging from internationally-known names like Paul Devereux, Robert Bauval and Andrew Collins, to lesser-known but no-less dedicated local researchers, the topics and perspectives were wide-ranging and always fascinating.

The highlight for me this year was the delightful story-telling of Robert Bauval, sharing new discoveries hinting at the origins of Egyptian civilization deep in the Egyptian Sahara, as detailed in his forthcoming book Black Genesis.

Michael Tellinger blew everyone's minds with his research into the extensive and ancient archaeological remains of Southern Africa - evidence, he says, of the oldest man-made structures on the planet and the origins of humankind, and Antoine Gigal astonished us with her team's discoveries of pyramids on Mauritius and Sicily.

A double helping of Paul Devereux (looking very professorial these days!), calling for a richer, more deeply-rooted approach to sacred geography and sharing diverse examples of archeoacoustics, was a special treat. I'll definitely be heading out to check the acoustic properties of some of my local sites in the near future.

For me, the opportunity to hear, question, hob-nob and get drunk with such inspirational individuals in the convivial environs of Glastonbury is not to be missed.

Regretfully I skipped the forum at the end of day 2. My brain couldn't take any more and I needed to head home. Perhaps it was a good thing that failed to notice this day-old crop circle on the other side of the road as I drove back past Stonehenge!