Ancient sites: Protect or Use?

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FourWinds F
FourWinds Jun 28, 2007 05:51:21
Replying to Mirla

This is a massive thread and I haven't got time to read it all right now, so I'm probably asking something that somebody as already asked ...

What are these great big lump of rock with the writing on like? And where abouts have they been placed at each site?

I find placing a stone sign at, say, a stone circle a bit silly. I know it probably blends in better, but if it's too close and too obvious then people will start to think that it's part of the monument. The next step from that is people thinking it's ok to write on part of the monument.

Furthermore, a large foreign piece of stone is going to alter photographsom this point on and could be confusing. Does anyone have a picture of one of these 'signs'?

As to the offerings issue, everyone knows my view. I don't like finding them when I visit sites. In my mind they should be classed as litter. The odd daisy chain is fine - unless daisies are foreign to the area - it shows that people have spent time there. What I do object to is bouquets of flowers in plastic wrappings and ribbons. I don't like tealights being left for animals to hurt themselves on. I don't like finding wax dripping down the stones.

G goffik
goffik Jun 28, 2007 06:07:25
Replying to FourWinds

Mornin, FW

Don't worry - these signs (the ones I've seen, anyhoo) are sensitively placed outside the site - normally on the path to it...

I have a pic of one - will post it later unless someone beats me to it!

G x

O ocifant
ocifant Jun 28, 2007 06:30:07
Replying to FourWinds

Certainly at Boscawen-Un, the stone is actually at the layby on the A30, nowhere near the circle itself. Similarly at the Merry Maidens (Lamorna), the stone is outside the field which contains the stones - again, in the layby on the B3315. I don't have a photo unfortunately, but the text includes the info that was on the original paper notices, and includes a phone number to report any problems.

The guys in Cornwall have put a lot of thought, time and effort into this and are to be applauded in my view.

T tuesday
tuesday Jun 28, 2007 08:41:12
Replying to FourWinds

They have them at the Aberdeenshire circles too - they're usually a way away except at places like MidMar - but that's surrounded by tombstones anyway. Those are more informative than prescriptive and are quite nicely done - although it's a shame in a way - everybody heads for the info before having the experience. That's part of the tourist thing.

I hope they get rid of those big pieces of litter called the Stonhenge / Callanish / Avebury visitor's centres one day

M Mustard
Mustard Jun 29, 2007 18:04:57
Replying to FourWinds

FourWinds wrote:
The odd daisy chain is fine - unless daisies are foreign to the area - it shows that people have spent time there. What I do object to is bouquets of flowers in plastic wrappings and ribbons. I don't like tealights being left for animals to hurt themselves on. I don't like finding wax dripping down the stones.
Agreed.