New book could help protect ancient monuments in Wales

A Professor from Bangor University has just published the third and final volume of a series of books that provides valuable insights into the early medieval monuments of Wales.

Author Professor Nancy Edwards describes A Corpus of Early Medieval Inscribed Stones and Stone Sculpture in Wales Volume III, North Wales, as an essential read for all those interested in early medieval sculpture in Britain and Ireland and hopes that the publication will go some way towards protecting the ancient monuments in Wales.

The book, the last of three regional volumes, explores the inscribed memorial stones and Christian stone sculpture of north Wales c AD 400–1150. It provides valuable insights into the archaeology, art, history, languages and culture of the period and an essential read for all those interested in early medieval Wales

Professor Edwards said: “This volume provides fresh insights and new interpretations of over 150 monuments, it traces the development of Christianity in Wales and the Christianisation of the landscape.

“It includes an introductory discussion analysing the historical and archaeological context of the monuments, earlier research, geology, form and function, ornament and iconography and the language and lettering of the inscriptions, as well as cultural connections, dating and chronology. The well-illustrated catalogue provides more detailed descriptions and analyses of individual monuments.”

She added: “Some of the monuments listed in this book are not even protected, and since writing this book we have created a list of monuments that are in danger to try and ensure their future preservation and display. We are now working with the National Welsh Early Medieval Sculpture Panel and CADW, to ensure that they are protected in future.”

“I feel a great sense of achievement having finished the third volume, considering I started working on this project in 1996, but hasten to add that this volume is part of a team effort and the research was done in partnership with National Museum Wales and the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales. I couldn’t have done it without the team, which includes Jana Horák, Heather Jackson, Helen McKee, David N. Parsons and Patrick Sims-Williams.”

Publication date: 18 June 2013