Disputed Antiquity?

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FourWinds F
FourWinds Feb 13, 2007 18:26:19
Replying to BuckyE

It would also fit something like a set of concentric circles about 9 foot across. Just like you might find on a big millstone.

B BuckyE
BuckyE Feb 13, 2007 20:31:18
Replying to FourWinds

Do any millstones have concentric circles? The few I've seen had tangentially radial grooves, to lead the flour out to the sides. It seems to me a set of concentric ridges would not mill very well. But I'm not the expert, there.

It's also true I can't tell the exact shape of the whole--elliptical or circular--from the fragment. And that we're assuming the "whole" was symmetrically round. It might have been a meander, etc.

S StoneLifter
StoneLifter Feb 13, 2007 21:12:12
Replying to FourWinds

I've posted a picture with dots, from memory, of where the grooves are. I didn't realise it had been so big and there might have been another circle against it if that bottom groove is going the other way around. The rock face is quite wobbly and uneven, it's not a millstone, and seems to be of a similar material to that carved stone at Knockroe (thanks) - a soft sandstone with large bits of white rectangular quartz embedded there. The style and technique of the grooves seems very similar, too, if not actually identical. I wonder whether any other bits will turn up now ?

P Pilgrim
Pilgrim Feb 14, 2007 02:08:02
Replying to FourWinds

FourWinds wrote:
It would also fit something like a set of concentric circles about 9 foot across. Just like you might find on a big millstone.
Intruiging, FW. What would a 9ft millstone weigh, I wonder? Would its weight make it difficult to operate? Never given this much thought. Apparently, a 4'6 one weighs 1400 lbs (636 kg):

http://www.millstones.com/store/shop/item.asp?itemid=67

Obviously, its geology would make a difference...any idea what sort of stone it is, SL?

Peace

Pilgrim

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