See the Maps of Ancient Cornwall
Maps of Ancient CornwallHere are two kinds of maps: ancient sites and alignments.
Each map can be downloaded as a JPG image or it can be seen on Google Maps.
The Google maps are updated periodically.
All maps open in a new window.
Clicking a map picture below will take you to its Google Maps version.
See also: Even More Maps
Pros and cons of Google Maps and Images:
Google Maps let you zoom in close to track alignments in detail, and they give more info. But some people find it difficult navigating around these maps. They are the most up-to-date maps.
Image maps are easy to navigate, they give an overview, and you can keep them, but they give less info and detail. They are updated roughly every two years.
Cornwall
Ancient Sites of Cornwall
The distribution of ancient sites across Cornwall
Alignments in Cornwall
Alignments in and between different areas of Cornwall
West Penwith
Ancient Sites of West Penwith
Sites in the most complex, multi-period part of Cornwall
Alignments in West Penwith
Penwith as an integrated landscape system
Isles of Scilly
Ancient Sites of the Isles of Scilly
Cairns, menhirs and remarkable cairnfields
Alignments on the Isles of Scilly
Within the islands and incoming from the mainland
Specific Matters of Interest
Backbone Alignments in Cornwall & Scilly
Backbone & long-distance alignments crossing the region
Radial Alignments through Carn Brea
Radials involving cliff sanctuaries and other sites
Parallel Alignments in West Cornwall
Mysterious near-parallel alignments at azimuth 118-124°
Local Alignments in West Cornwall
Shorter-distance local alignments
Quoit Alignments in West Penwith
Alignments passing through and between quoits.
Stone Circle Alignments in West Penwith
Alignments passing through stone circles
Map Key and Notes
Alignments | ||
 | Backbone alignments (involving neolithic tors & cliff sanctuaries) | |
 | Other long-distance alignments crossing the region | |
 | Main local alignments | |
 | Lesser local alignments | |
 | Penwith quoit alignments and Lizard barrow alignments | |
 | Alignments on Scilly and Lamorna plateau alignments | |
 | Stone circle radials and near-parallel alignments in Scilly | |
 | Regional & international alignments (eg. Michael & Apollo Lines) | |
 | Orientations of double menhirs | |
Viewing tips for Google Maps:
- to zoom in or out, move your mouse wheel by just 1-2 notches, forward for zooming in, back for zooming out.
- where you place your cursor on the map determines where you zoom in to.
- click, hold and drag the map to move around it.
- click any site or alignment to get further information about it.
- should you need it, click here for a separate map key.
All alignments are accurate to within three metres (five metres in a few cases). In most cases they contain four or more points (with a few exceptions), accurately aligned.
All alignments have been triple-checked. If you find errors or have amendments or something to add, get in touch!
When an alignment passes near a significant site but more than five metres from it, the site is noted in parentheses in the alignment notes on the map, but it is not counted as a validating point on the alignment.
The maps were researched by trawling Historic England, Heritage Gateway and Cornwall Council, the Megalithic Portal and Modern Antiquarian sites, Meyn Mamvro, CASPN, the Cornish Ancient and Holy Wells map, and personal communications, books and other sources.
All locations are exactly positioned. At times judgement was applied to reconcile differences in info given on the sites above, to correct map references and other details.
Ancient Sites | ||
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 | Quoits (dolmens) | |
 | Menhirs (existing) | |
 | Menhirs (queried or gone) | |
 | Stone Rows | |
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 | Hill Camps (hillforts) | |
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 | Cliff Sanctuaries (cliff castles) | |
 | Cliff Sanctuaries (possible) | |
 | Prominent Headlands | |
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 | Carns (outcrops & tors) | |
 | Wells & Springs | |
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 | Early Churches | |
 | Early & Medieval Crosses | |
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 | Natural Rocks & Outcrops | |
 | Geomantic Cairns | |
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 | Neolithic Long Barrows | |
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