Stone buried in pavement — no history

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slumpystones S
slumpystones Feb 12, 2007 17:52:29

On my long-running search for remnants of an avenue across the Medway, I came across a smallish sarsen buried deep in a pavement outside the Duke of Wellington in Ryarsh, with maybe a 2' circle still showing, 6" above the tarmac [sorry to swear]. It is on the inside of a bend, and could easily have been placed to ensure the corner of the pub doesn't get a swipe by a passing car, though it is a little low down for that. The locals have no idea, the pub owners haven't been around for long enough, and the local council are pretty uncooperative/uninterested. My Mother recalls it being there at least 25 years ago, but there was no kerb/pavement then, so it would have stood a lot more proud of the road surface.

The question is, is it worth recording?

Also, what should I do in respect of stones marked on old maps ? Are they generally accurate ? Does anyone have any experience of locating holes etc ?

W wysefool
wysefool Feb 12, 2007 20:36:15
Replying to slumpystones

Hello Slumpy,

I live near the Berkshire downs (oxfordshire) and ridgeway area. I am forever finding sarsen stones here there and everywhere (see my possible Harwell site). I am of the opinion that before roads were 'metalled' (i.e. surfaced) and muddy, that local stone was used to mark the edge(s). This may have happened long after any prehistoric period. I have found two sarsen stones opposite each other in a village called West Hendred (near the church). The modern kerb has been built around them and I suppose that as they have always been there, and, that, in the road building phase of history (1920/1930s?), that the workers just left them there (especially if the workers were local) and built the kerb including the original 'waymarker' stones. These particular stones possibly mark an 'Icknield way'. Proving that the stone was placed there in prehistoric times is pure conjecture. In the village where I live and in many surrounding villages, I do find Sarsen stones next to modern metal drains. If the sarsen (or stone) is of a considerable size (and therefore weight) it is probable that it would not have been placed there (why go to all the grief?) and was there all the time (and therefore very old). If the sarsen (or stone) is small and within the ability of a couple of people to move it by hand, then it may have been placed there at any time in modern history.

This is my humble opinion, but I hope it helps.

The Wysefool