My Ancient World Learning 

Prehistoric Monuments in our Landscape - coming 1st September 2025

Course Number: MAWL 006
Course Tutor: Michael J Curtis

This four-week course explores the prehistoric landscape of Britain and the monuments that still survive in the modern landscape. It’s a journey through time as we look at monuments of a ceremonial, religious and social nature, discussing what we have learn from them and about the communities who constructed them. During the course we will consider their locations in the ancient landscape and how the monuments have come to be regarded over the passage of time.

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Structure of course

Teaching style: Recorded sessions and live lectures
Mode of delivery:
Online
Duration:
4 weeks
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
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About this course

From towering stone circles to mysterious burial mounds, prehistoric monuments are some of the most powerful and enduring traces of our ancient past. Scattered across the landscape, these structures are more than just relics of a distant time—they are key to understanding how early communities interacted with their environment, expressed their beliefs, and organized their societies. This course explores the rich variety of prehistoric monuments found across different landscapes - from the visitations of Palaeolithic and Mesolithic hunter-gathers, the arrival of the Neolithic farmers, the Bronze Age monument builders, to hillforts and settlements of the Iron Age tribes. We will examine how these sites were constructed, what they may have meant to the people who built them, and how their positions within the natural and built environments shaped their function and symbolism.

This course is delivered over four weeks, combining pre-recorded content with live presentations. You'll also receive a recommended reading list and supplementary notes to support your learning. No prior knowledge is required — we aim to make the experience both motivating and enjoyable for everyone. We encourage you to participate in group discussions, as they offer a great opportunity to share ideas and deepen your understanding. Our courses are carefully designed to be both informative and engaging, ensuring a rewarding experience for all participants. For those eager to explore the subject further, additional reading suggestions are provided. Please note that there are no formal assessments or submission requirements for this course.
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