David's Cairn

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Hob H
Hob Oct 1, 2005 10:41:50
Replying to StoneLifter

>Even better why not make an expedition to it and get some proper photos?

One of these days I shall make it down that way. Like you, I reckon there's prehistoric stuff still extant. Plus I'd like to see 'Wall'. And apart from anything else, it's corking good landscape.

Am I correct in my thought that the gist of what you are saying is that you're argung that cairn such as the cobs are (relatively) recent constructions built on the same spot as prehistoric cairns? As would be indicated by the peat accumulation at their bases?

Sorry if it feels like you're being criticised unduly, but I think that if you get flak here on tma for posting pics of modern looking cairns, it's due to concerns over where the line is drawn in terms of 'probability of prehistoric-ness' in regard to suitability of content on this website. And you've got to admit, that compared to sites that have been long documented, you are pushing the boundary somewhat. But there's nowt wrong with that, heck, I've posted a couple of slightly iffy sites here (and refrained from doing so with a shedload of others), so I know where you're coming from :)

S StoneLifter
StoneLifter Oct 1, 2005 11:40:40
Replying to Hob

No, it seems that that pair of cairns are four thousand years old.

The peat is continually laid down and it traps objects. There is a distinct boundary in the peat that is shared by the base stones of the cairns and a seam of bits of broken wood. The trees were being cleared to graze sheep at the same time that those cairns were built. (A period of marked agricultural intensification !) Some of these bits of wood have toolmarks - there was one in my briefcase that day - but I can't tell if the blade that hacked the wood was made of stone, copper, bronze or iron. I have a section of wood out of this seam that is two inches across - it has distinct growth rings (*which can be matched against known growth rates by specialists*). I think it's a branch of Dendrochronology !

The profile of David's Cairns is not far from Silbury Hill - I've just found some more images to scan !