1860 Britannia Antiquissima Antique History Book Druids Colony Of Victoria Prov.

John Jones Thomas's Britannia Antiquissima; or, A Key to the Philology of History (Sacred and Profane) is a sweeping and speculative linguistic study that attempts to trace the origins of ancient British civilization through philological connections to sacred and classical texts. Published in Melbourne in 1860, the work reflects Thomas's belief that the roots of British history lie not merely in Roman or Anglo-Saxon traditions, but in far older, possibly Cimmerian and Druidic cultures. He draws on triadic structures, etymological parallels, and comparative mythology to argue for a continuity between ancient British tongues and languages of Asia Minor and the Hebrew tradition. The book is dense with linguistic conjecture, often linking obscure words and symbols to broader historical narratives.

Thomas's approach is emblematic of 19th-century antiquarian enthusiasm, blending philology with nationalistic fervor and religious undertones. While his methodology lacks the rigor of modern linguistic science, Britannia Antiquissima offers a vivid glimpse into colonial-era intellectual ambition—particularly the desire to anchor British identity in a mythic and sacred past. The book's reception was mixed; despite Thomas's claims of popular demand, evidence suggests it struggled commercially, with unsold copies lingering in auction catalogues years later. Nonetheless, it remains a curious artifact of Victorian-era historical imagination, reflecting both the aspirations and eccentricities of its time.