A National Atlas
- Publication
- Antiquity
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 54
- Pages
- 197–200
United Kingdom
1970This notice discusses a national atlas proposal reported in 1940, without establishing its relationship to the linked 1970 volume. The author supports the project provided it covers the whole British Isles, including all Ireland, and has a permanently funded organization to revise its maps. The notice argues that incomplete soil, megalithic and geological surveys, together with gaps in historical research, make some proposed maps premature and their classifications unreliable. It recommends a permanent, adequately staffed unit, possibly at the Ordnance Survey, to conduct preliminary surveys and publish revised editions.
View whole-article summary
This article discusses the proposal to compile a National Atlas of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The author supports the project in principle but stipulates two key conditions: the atlas should cover the entire British Isles (including all of Ireland), and a permanent organization should be established for continuous updates. The article criticizes premature publication before preliminary surveys are completed, citing soil maps and megalithic monuments as examples where insufficient survey data would lead to inaccurate classification. The author recommends establishing a permanent nucleus at the Ordnance Survey to conduct essential surveys and maintain up-to-date revisions. Ultimately, the author believes that, if properly executed, the atlas could rank with national projects like the D.N.B., but it requires adequate educational support and government funding.
Comments
Loading...
0/2000