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17th-century Wiltshire naturalist John Aubrey's radical book fully transcribed after 400 years
Überblick
Historian Dr Louise Ryland-Epton has spent three years transcribing John Aubrey's 17th-century manuscript, The Natural History of Wiltshire, revealing radical ideas omitted from an incomplete 19th-century edition. Written over nearly 40 години, the original text challenged the biblical timeframe, identified fossils as ancient living creatures, and discussed environmental issues, superstitions, and local remedies.
Wichtige Punkte
- Historian Dr Louise Ryland-Epton spent three years transcribing John Aubrey's 17th-century book, The Natural History of Wiltshire.
- The new transcription spans over 400 pages, compared to an incomplete 100-page Victorian edition published in 1847.
- Aubrey challenged the biblical timeline and identified fossils as the petrified remains of once-living creatures.
- His radical ideas led friends to advise him to omit controversial sections, which likely prevented the book's full publication during his lifetime.
- The full text details environmental concerns like deforestation, historical remedies, myths, and legends.
- The transcription was launched at Chippenham Museum to mark 400 years since Aubrey's birth.