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The Rollright Stones (Stone Circle) — News

Catastrophic Paint Damage at the Rollrights (Updated)


Abridged from a post by Karin Attwood to the Stones Mailing List today:
Some absolute mindless tw*t(s) seem to think its a good prank to have splattered bright yellow gloss paint over the entire ring in some cases both sides of the stones. Damage was found this morning by a member of a geo-phys team arrving for work.

The oldest measured lichen colony in the UK has a line of paint running down it plus splatters.

EH have been informed and are talking to NT about methods used at Avebury for previous paint vandalism.


In a later post she also wrote:
Hi All

Just returned home from the circle. Frist the bad news - every single one of the stones is splattered both sides, paint splodges vary from 2"-4" and in long lines. If you can imagine someone with a 6" paintbrush and a large tin of gloss soaking the brush and then flicking it over the stones you can picture the damage!

So far reaction has been shift - the local police spent 2hrs looking round for the can (did not find it though) and taking samples to take around nearby paint shops. The police socco lady was on scene with an hour of me arriving and has also taken samples. Both BBC and Central news have covered the item and local press. A joint EH & Rollright Trust Press Release will be issued tomorrow.

EH area monument inspector has been out and will be returning tomorrow with experts who cleaned up the Avebury paint damage as will the team who have been studying the lichen colonies. EH rep was as incensed as the rest of us and promised that if anyone is caught this will be taken to the full extent of the law. The cost of clean-up and repair will not be available til tomorrow but IMO given that the damage at Avebury did not leave much change out of 100k I reckon at least twice that amount. Paint is also deep inside the holes in the stones.

Damage was most likely done between 8am and 9.45 this morning going be the fact that the paint was still wet and this had to be done in daylight to get most of the paint on target instead of everywhere.

The Police did mention that letting the cost of clean-up being made public would help in getting someone to finger the culprits - who must have been splattered themselves. A reward would also help - to that end I'm currently thinking of who to ask to put up some cash or thinking of asking for pledges to set up a reward fund that would only be called in if someone is prosecuted.

I'm off for a long lie-down, I'm frozen solid after doing my bit for the Karmic wheel in the middle of a freezing cold windy circle dressed inappropriately!

Thanks to everyone for the messages of shared anger and support - hopefully the BBC local news will get over the point that this is not just vandalism but very upsetting to those who regard these places as spiritual too.

Karin - still gutted..

Kenmore Church (Christianised Site) — Miscellaneous

Some folk will undoubtedly be wondering why Kenmore Church is listed here. The MA tome comes to the rescue (p370):

Kenmore Church occupies the prime position at the centre of Loch Tay's east end, standing on a moundlike ridge. The church is probably Christianised a former sister monument of the Killin circle at the other end of Loch Tay

Stonehenge and its Environs — News

Six more bodies found near 'King of Stonehenge' site


from Ananova.com

Archaeologists have discovered six more bodies near the grave of the so-called King of Stonehenge.

The remains of four adults and two children were found at a site in Amesbury, Wiltshire.

It is about half-a-mile from that of the Amesbury Archer, the Bronze Age man who was buried with the earliest gold found in Britain.

It is thought he might have had a major role in creating Stonehenge. Tests showed he was born in the Alps region in central Europe.

The latest bones discovered are some 4,500 years old - the same age as the Archer, said Salisbury-based Wessex Archaeology - which excavated the site during the digging of a trench this month.

Radiocarbon tests will be done to find out more precise dates for the burials but the people are believed to have lived during the building of Stonehenge. Wessex Archaeology say it is possible the bones are those of people from different generations.

The bones of the earlier burials were mixed up, but those of the later burials, a man and a child, were undisturbed. They said the grave, which is about three miles from Stonehenge, had narrowly missed being damaged by trench digging for electric cables and a water pipe.

The grave contained four pots in the Beaker style that is typical of the period, some flint tools, one flint arrowhead and a bone toggle for fastening clothing.

Dr Andrew Fitzpatrick, of Wessex Archaeology, said: "This new find is really unusual. It is exceptionally rare to find the remains of so many people in one grave like this in southern England.

"The grave is fascinating because we are seeing the moment when Britain was moving from the Stone Age into the Bronze Age, around 2,300BC."

Gardom's Edge (Cup and Ring Marks / Rock Art) — Images (click to view fullsize)

<b>Gardom's Edge</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Barbrook III (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Barbrook III</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

The Old Woman's Stone (Standing Stone / Menhir) — Images

<b>The Old Woman's Stone</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Mam Tor (Hillfort) — Images

<b>Mam Tor</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Dyffryn Ardudwy (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Images

<b>Dyffryn Ardudwy</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Presaddfed (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Images

<b>Presaddfed</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Penrhosfeilw (Standing Stones) — Images

<b>Penrhosfeilw</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Trefignath (Chambered Cairn) — Images

<b>Trefignath</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Ty Newydd (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Images

<b>Ty Newydd</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Bodowyr (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Images

<b>Bodowyr</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Bryn Celli Ddu (Chambered Cairn) — Images

<b>Bryn Celli Ddu</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Barbrook I (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Barbrook I</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Odin Mine (Cave / Rock Shelter) — Images

<b>Odin Mine</b>Posted by Holy McGrail<b>Odin Mine</b>Posted by Holy McGrail<b>Odin Mine</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Cairn L (Passage Grave) — Images

<b>Cairn L</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Cork Stone (Natural Rock Feature) — Images

<b>Cork Stone</b>Posted by Holy McGrail<b>Cork Stone</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Castleruddery (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Castleruddery</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Haroldstown (Portal Tomb) — Images

<b>Haroldstown</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Knowth — Images

<b>Knowth</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Boleycarrigeen (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Boleycarrigeen</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Cairn T (Passage Grave) — Images

<b>Cairn T</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

The Mother's Jam (Natural Rock Feature) — Images

<b>The Mother's Jam</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Derbyshire — Links

Prehistory in the Peak


(Amazon link). This book really opened up the Peaks for me. Just the index, which covers over 100 sites, is enough. The photography is wonderful, and the text enlightening and atmospheric.

Rock Around the Peak


(Amazon link). Easily digestible and straight-forward guide to "the most notable" prehistoric sites in the Peak District.

Barbrook IV (Ring Cairn) — Miscellaneous

From "Rock Around the Peak" by Victoria & Paul Morgan:

... "on the edge of Ramsley Moor, east of Barbrook I" ... " has sometimes been referred to as a stone circle, but is more likely to be a ringcairn. All that remains is a rubble bank circa 23m by 21m externally in diameter."

Barbrook V (Ring Cairn) — Miscellaneous

From "Rock Around the Peak" by Victoria & Paul Morgan:

"Part of an extensive cairnfield, Barbrook V is located to the west of Barbrook I, on the other side of the Bar Brook stream." ... "It has been badly damaged by a packhorse track which cut through the centre in the Medieval period. Only half the bank to the south-east remains."

Barbrook III (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Barbrook III</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Barbrook II (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Barbrook II</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Barbrook II (Stone Circle) — Miscellaneous

Not even on the Landranger map, but an easy walk 200 metres N/NNW from Barbrook I.

Barbrook I (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Barbrook I</b>Posted by Holy McGrail<b>Barbrook I</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Stoke Flat (Stone Circle) — Links

Stoke Flat @ The Megalithic Portal


Info & pictures by Paul & Vicky Morgan - authors of the handy and friendly 'Rock Around the Peak' book which handles around 36 sites in Derbyshire, many of which aren't widely known. They seem to have contributed quite a lot of information to this website, so if you're a local, have a scoot around. You'll be surprised.

Stoke Flat (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Stoke Flat</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

West Kennett Avenue (Multiple Stone Rows / Avenue) — Images

<b>West Kennett Avenue</b>Posted by Holy McGrail<b>West Kennett Avenue</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Silbury Hill (Artificial Mound) — Images

<b>Silbury Hill</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

West Kennett (Long Barrow) — Images

<b>West Kennett</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Odin Mine (Cave / Rock Shelter) — Folklore

At the foot of the incredible Mam Tor is Odin Mine, marked by a NT sign but off limits on my last visit due to F&M (April 2001).

It struck me as quite significant at the time because my visit was just after finding out that Odin was unique amongst norse gods because he got his power from the Mother Earth. Mam Tor, and at her foot, Odin Mine. Hmmm.

And after reading up on the Odin Stone on Orkney (and indeed Yggdrasilbury), it now makes even more sense; Mam Tor and Odin Mine couldn't have been named such by the (later) invading Vikings, for the Vikings had abandoned the 'Mother Earth' completely. There's a good chance, therefore, that their relationship could be based in antiquity.

Could this be another example of the 'norse' myths being eternally played out in the British Landscape?

Boscawen-Un (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>Boscawen-Un</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Cornwall — Links

Cornwall Online


Loads of info on places to stay in Cornwall.

Rosewall Hill (Cairn(s)) — Folklore

According to "Myths & Legends of Cornwall" (C.Weatherhill & P.Devereux), the mines on Rosewall Hill were haunted by Knockers (weird sprite-like things). A miner called Trenwith formed a partnership with the Knockers, and benefitted from their expertise at mining ore. Trenwith would leave 1/10th of properly dressed ore as payment to the Knockers. This relationship continued after Trenwith's death via his son, who one day sought to cheat the Knockers. The lode then failed, he became a drunk who lost all his father's money and ended up a beggar.

Sounds like a lovely metaphor for earth-lights, respect for the land and other weirdness to me.

Rosewall Hill (Cairn(s)) — Images

<b>Rosewall Hill</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

The Merry Maidens (Stone Circle) — Images

<b>The Merry Maidens</b>Posted by Holy McGrail

Zennor Quoit (Dolmen / Quoit / Cromlech) — Images

<b>Zennor Quoit</b>Posted by Holy McGrail<b>Zennor Quoit</b>Posted by Holy McGrail
Showing 1-50 of 64 posts. Most recent first | Next 50
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