Exploring family stories reveals the rich history of a seventh-century Buddhist shrine. As a young girl in Bombay, Kirin Narayan was enthralled by her father’s stories about how their ancestors had made the ancient rock-cut cave temples at Ellora. Recalling those stories as an adult, she was inspired to learn more about the caves, especially the Buddhist worship hall known as the “Vishwakarma cave.” Immersing herself in family history, oral traditions, and works by archaeologists, art historians, scholars of Buddhism, Indologists, and Sanskritists, Narayan set out to answer the question of how this cave came to be venerated as the home of Vishwakarma, the god of making in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Cave of My Ancestors represents the perfect blend of Narayan’s skills as a researcher and writer. Her quest to trace her family’s stories took her to Ellora; through libraries, archives, and museums around the world; and across disciplinary borders. Equal parts scholarship, detective story, and memoir, Narayan’s book ably leads readers through centuries of history, offering a sensitive meditation on devotion, wonder, and all that connects us to place, family, the past, and the divine.

An extraordinary exploration of the ancestry of Britain through seven burial sites. By using new advances in genetics and taking us through important archaeological discoveries, Professor Alice Roberts helps us better understand life today. ‘This is a terrific, timely and transporting book - taking us heart, body and mind beyond history, to the fascinating truth of the prehistoric past and the present’ Bettany Hughes We often think of Britain springing from nowhere with the arrival of the Romans. But in Ancestors, pre-eminent archaeologist, broadcaster and academic Professor Alice Roberts explores what we can learn about the very earliest Britons, from burial sites and by using new technology to analyse ancient DNA. Told through seven fascinating burial sites, this groundbreaking prehistory of Britain teaches us more about ourselves and our history: how people came and went and how we came to be on this island. It explores forgotten journeys and memories of migrations long ago, written into genes and preserved in the ground for thousands of years. This is a book about belonging: about walking in ancient places, in the footsteps of the ancestors. It explores our interconnected global ancestry, and the human experience that binds us all together. It’s about reaching back in time, to find ourselves, and our place in the world. PRE-ORDER CRYPT, THE FINAL BOOK IN ALICE ROBERTS' BRILLIANT TRILOGY – OUT FEBRUARY 2024.

"Archaeologist Genevieve von Petzinger looks past the horses, bison, ibex, and faceless humans in the ancient paintings and instead focuses on the abstract geometric images that accompany them. She offers her research on the terse symbols that appear more often than any other kinds of figures--signs that have never really been studied or explained until now"--

Discover the powerful and nearly-forgotten energy healing methods of the ancient Toltec tradition—for fans of Don Miguel Ruiz Many people across the world today are looking for their true selves. The ancient Mexicans viewed this true self as the “caves”, which referred to our spirit, instincts, and subconscious. According to the Mexican tradition, we have seven caves of power—which are equivalent to the chakras—and healing these caves allows us to improve all areas of our lives. In The Caves of Power, world-renowned Mexican healer Sergio Magaña unveils this almost lost and secret knowledge of the ancient Mexicans. He shares powerful practices for healing, rejuvenation, manifestation, and enlightenment—including Mexican numerology, astral surgery, dream work, Mexican acupuncture, energy spinning, and Mexican Kundalini techniques. This unique and powerful book offers a new approach to an ancient tradition, bringing healing and resolution to important issues like health, emotions, abundance, and enlightenment.

Dave and Brenda Brentwood are spending the summer with their Uncle Rob and Aunt Caryn in North Carolina. But the trip won't be all fun and games. There has been a monster trapped in a cave on the Brentwood property for over seventy years. After all those years, someone is trying to open up the cave. If their uncle can prevent the cave from being opened, they'll all have a nice quiet summer. If he can't then the family would have a terrible battle on their hands, and Brenda, twelve and Dave, eight, will truly find out what it means to be part of the family thing

Ever since she was a small child, Helma Swan, the daughter of a Northwest Coast chief, loved and learned the music of her people. As an adult she began to sing, even though traditionally Makah singers had been men. How did such a situation develop? In her own words, Helma Swan tells the unusual story of her life, her music, and how she became a singer. An excellent storyteller, she speaks of both musical and non-musical activities and events. In addition to discussing song ownership and other Makah musical concepts, she describes songs, dances, and potlatch ceremonies; proper care of masks and costumes; and changing views of Native music education. More generally, she speaks of cultural changes that have had profound effects on contemporary Makah life. Drawing on more than twenty years of research and oral history interviews, Linda J. Goodman in Singing the Songs of My Ancestors presents a somewhat different point of view-that of the anthropologist/ethnomusicologist interested in Makah culture and history as well as the changing musical and ceremonial roles of Makah men and women. Her information provides a context for Helma Swan’s stories and songs. Taken together, the two perspectives allow the reader to embark on a vivid and absorbing journey through Makah life, music, and ceremony spanning most of the twentieth century. Studies of American Indian women musicians are rare; this is the first to focus on a Northwest Coast woman who is an outstanding singer and storyteller as well as a conservator of her tribe’s cultural traditions.

"Everyone knows about Noah, Moses, and Paul. But what about Hagar, Michal, and Priscilla, all women who had a direct influence in the story of God's people? The Bible is full of fascinating, powerful, and faithful women, as well as lessons that have unique meaning for women today." "In The Women's Study Bible, respected Bible scholars draw out these often overlooked stories and reveal the lives of women at the time and share lessons for women of today. Separate sidebars cover topics such as midwifery, women disciples, and female images of God. The Women's Study Bible doesn't shy away from the difficult issues, but helps readers to understand them better in both their original context and the modern world." "The New Living Translation of the Bible uses inclusive language for humanity and where it is clear that both male and female are meant to be included." --Book Jacket.