Very, very odd carvings (or natural marks)

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PeterH P
PeterH Dec 16, 2005 20:06:35
Replying to FourWinds

I see it now. Shoot me down in flames, but as a stone carver I do know a bit even if I know nothing about Irish sites. Judging by the straightness of the vertical, general smoothness of the circle and lack of weathering - it's no more than 100 years old and carved with a steel tool.

C Chris Collyer
Chris Collyer Dec 16, 2005 20:18:55
Replying to PeterH

Have to agree, there doesn't seem to be much weathering especially on that centre ridge, but why was it was carved in that shape in the first place? I like the cloven hoof idea - maybe a local stone-mason wanted to have a laugh -
"Hey lads, last night I saw a 50 foot high mountain goat"
> "Pull the other one!"
"Come on, I'll show you . . . ."

-Chris

F FourWinds
FourWinds Dec 16, 2005 20:25:57
Replying to PeterH

I certainly think it's carved, but why carve that 643m up a mountain? The stone is Wicklow granite and does not weather very much, so I don't think that's a big indication of age.

One thing that would bother me more than anything is that it's above the peat, which is probably about 6 foot deep up there. But then there has been a lot of peat erosion up there over the last 20 years so it could have been buried until recently.

J jonG
jonG Dec 16, 2005 20:33:51
Replying to PeterH

Have you ever carved a piece of Catlinite Peter, the sacred 'Pipe Stone'? All you need is a 'Stanley Knife'. This red soap stone is incredibly dense and contains minute particles of quartz crystal and an is absolute pleasure to work with. If you want a small piece to try out for yourself, I have some pieces left to create such items as neck jewelery etc.

jonG