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Pete G P
Pete G Dec 10, 2002 16:17:54
Replying to FourWinds

Keiller found the original socket holes dug into the chalk. They give a good indication of which way up the stones was originally and what direction it was orientated and what depth the stones originaly stood.
I doubt Avebury will ever get the restoration it deserves.
Mike Pitts' proposal to EH will effectively stop other archaeologist doing something similar for a long time. EH are keen to leave things for future archaeologists to find with any new techniques that may be created.
What worries me is that if they let Mike pick one stone up they may say 'No more' because there is nothing of value to be learned by picking up any other fallen stones.
On the other hand excavating a stone that was buried in the middle ages may reveal a lot more.
PeteG

A Aspinall
Aspinall Dec 11, 2002 08:14:24
Replying to Pete G

I met a digital artist from Dundee recently - in Oldham ! (and I just added that to make up for mis-spelling the marmalade heir's surname in a previous post).

We're totally caught up in ley line superstitions in connection with restoring the stones. To a certain extent archaeologists support the same view - oh, you can't do that - but with very different motives.

The stones I've erected have been ones that most people would describe as glacial erratics - unlisted - and into till rather than chalk. If I understand correctly how they were dropped - propped, undermined and chocked out - then it's not too difficult to work out how they originally stood and to exactly reverse the process. I use a machine with a cable to simulate ten people and a rope.

I believe an understanding of sculpture is important and that the stones should be viewed as sculptures. I'd suggest even that some of the rocks are portraits. (My younger daughter's named Meg, incidentally; she grew up in Cumbria and is now not far from Ilkley Moor.)

I thought it was political activism to rediscover Bronze Age remains. A stable Golden Age destroyed by climate change could describe what is presently happening to our culture too. The ice caps melting faster than ever before with the decision makers dozing in front of the wide-screen TV's. Eh ?

I'm just starting to think about next summer's fieldwork. I know it sounds daft but the moors north of Bolton have enough fallen stones to at least provoke more Avebury discussions. Not one of the rocks is on the SMR, as far as I know, and the town does own a Barbara Hepworth bronze 'piece' that is clearly modelled on the Devil's Quoit but - I'm not holding my breath...

but thank heavens for the internet !

david

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