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Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech
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Grinsell notes (in 'Folklore of Prehistoric Sites in Britain') that an attempt to remove the Quoit in 1861 was thwarted by the efforts of the Reverend W. Borlase, the then vicar of Zennor. Good for you, vicar. Perhaps this was the same incident as the "unsuccessful attempt to break open the tomb with gunpowder in the 19th century by a farmer who wanted to build a shed," mentioned by Castleden in his 'Neolithic Britain'. He also adds a comment from Borlase:It is very unlikely that ever the cromlech should have been an altar for sacrifice, for the top of it is not easily to be got upon, much less a fire to be kindled on it, sufficient to consume the victim, without scorching the Priest that officiated, not to mention the horrid Rites which the Druid was attended, and which there is not proper room, nor footing to perform in so perilous a station. It is a Sepulchral Monument. One can surely imagine the reverend hoiking himself up on top of the quoit and balancing precariously there before coming up with his theory.
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Posted by Rhiannon
28th July 2005ce
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