Climbing on Standing Stones

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Sanctuary S
Sanctuary Feb 18, 2012 08:31:02
Replying to Sanctuary

Sanctuary wrote:
Resonox wrote:
tjj wrote:
More disconcerting perhaps was when I was with some people who were visiting the Avebury area and two of them climbed on top of the Devil's Den dolmen (albeit a reconstruction) - I freely admit I didn't say anything to them but was taken aback when they did it. For me it is an issue of respect as its unlikely that standing on a sarsen stone would damage it.
TJJ could you please clarify for me what you mean by "albeit a reconstruction"...cheers
Here's a 1910 photo of the Den
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/5451164002/
PS. Check out the 'Swindon Collection' on the right for some fabulous old pics of Avebury/Silbury etc.

T tjj
tjj Feb 18, 2012 09:51:09
Replying to Sanctuary

Sanctuary wrote:
Resonox wrote:
TJJ could you please clarify for me what you mean by "albeit a reconstruction"...cheers
Here's a 1910 photo of the Den
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/5451164002/
Devil's Den was the remains of a long barrow - the mound destroyed and the stones fallen. It was restored in the early part of the 20th century by a well meaning antiquary who restored to how he thought it should look. I was puzzled as to why it was the only 'portal tomb' in Wiltshire until reading the superb little book by Peter Fowler and Ian Blackwell An English Countryside Restored - The Land of Lettice Sweetapple (found in my local Tourist Information Centre and still one of the most useful reference books on the Fyfield/Overton area there is).