Re: Trevethy Quoit | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Trethevy Quoit 11

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Trevethy Quoit

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stonefree Apr 18, 2011 10:59:45

Replying to wychburyman

Dear Wychburyman et al,
Dave and I have been intensively studying Trethevy Quoit for 18 months now, although Dave first became interested in it back in the 90s (but was then resident in Lincolnshire). Dave moved to Cornwall in January to allow our research to intensify and I make frequent visits from Devon (although I'm currently looking to move closer as well).

What we have so far discovered is that longer term observations (throughout the course of the day and at different times of the year) reveal a lot more than cursory and/or random visits. The interplay of light and shade between the stones is a truly dynamic affair and strongly suggests that this was entirely intentional. Some, if not all, of the stones appear to have been 'worked' so that portions of their surface catch the sunlight in very specific ways and at specific times when the sun's rays hit them obliquely. I have so far taken in excess of 2000 photos of these effects whilst Dave has been studiously recording our findings and doing the astronomical calculations and historical research into the work of previous pioneers in this field (Prof. John North, Sir Norman Lockyer & Captain Henderson).

There are alignments to summer solstice (sunrise and sunset!) and winter solstice sunset (we are unable, as yet, to ascertain any winter solstice sunrise alignment because nearby houses totally obscure this position!)
We are also astounded by our most recent discovery of what appear to be the remnants of potential 'figurative' carvings on various surfaces, only visible for short periods of time when the sun hits them obliquely!

The matter of the toppled stone 7 is a cause of great consternation for us because, in its upright position, it would effectively act as a 'projection surface' for morning light coming in through the apertures and this could be crucial to part of the Quoit's function to determine when solstices occur!

The more we observe and investigate, the more we become convinced that the Quoit was intended to work in exactly this way. Whether or not it was ever used as a 'tomb' is entirely speculative, but even if it was, this would almost certainly have been secondary. Likewise with theories of the structure having been covered or buried, we have so far found no evidence to suggest this.

There are many more aspects we have yet to investigate, including any potential Lunar and/or Stellar alignments, but rest assured that we will be continuing with our research and intend to publish our findings.

Royston E. Naylor

wychburyman wrote:

Hello neighbours

Whilst in Cornwall a few weeks ago I spent a day chasing stones, of which Trevethy was one of the highlights.

I perchanced upon an interesting gentleman by the name of Dave Cane (or Kane). A quirky sort of fellow who had apparently spent 20 years studying what he saw was various alignments of the Quoit. He didn't accept it was a burial chamber and felt it was for various astronomical predictions. We must have chatted away for an hour or more.

I just wonder if anyone has heard of him and his theories and what they think of them.

Thanks

tiompan Apr 18, 2011 12:05:52

Replying to stonefree

stonefree wrote:

I won't repeat possible problems mentioned on another forum ,unless anyone wants them .
It's not too difficult to calculate orientations blocked by buildings etc , a quick look suggests that somewhere between 128.5 -129 degrees will be fit the bill and the height spot of 164 m just to the west of Furlsdon could be the horizon .
Rock art photographers use various methods to achieve oblique lighting to highlight worn or difficult to see markings . Any chance of some pics of the markings ?

StoneGloves Apr 19, 2011 11:32:36

Replying to stonefree

Keep going !

The lunar alignments will be certain. The lunar maximum setting positions are the ones to look for first. The minimum setting positions may be indicated but are easily mixed up with the solar ones. Venus, mars and the fixed stars? The only one that is easily found is to Deneb, with a prehistoric rising declination of +36.

Mr Hamhead Apr 20, 2011 22:23:28

Replying to stonefree

I have been reading all the recent posts with interest. It's always interesting to hear new ideas about things that I feel are so old there is no way we can or will ever know what there original use was.

With Trevethy I am sure I have posted by thoughts on it before somewhere. I feel it was a tomb, it was covered and all the stones are still in their original position. I believe that the western stone collapsed when the cap stone was being pulled into place.

As for the hole...it is not modern..but neither is it natural. If it had been caused by erosion then you would expect there to be a large eroded basin on the top surface surrounding the hole. I found a hole in a rock on top of Bearah Tor recently which had been formed after the rock basin had eroded right through the granite. By the way, the sun also shone through this hole and it's light on the rocks below caused shadows to move.

Knights etching of 1845 shows the Quoit as it is now...all be it surrounded by midget sheep!. I think that if it had been re-erected it would have been done by the Victorians..which it wasn't.

I am no scholar of ancient text but to say that a shape seen on one of the stones is slighty similar to the Sumarian 60 is pretty thin evidence is it not. We are not exactly talking complex rock art here are we?

The two stones I first pointed out near Tremar about six years ago it seems are modern. The new photos show drill marks which only started being used after 1800. The theory that the two stones might have been one and then cut in half I am not sure about. With all the other stones lying around, why cut one into two bits. I think it more likely that the stones have been placed there in the last 200 years.

My last thoughts....If the quoit is not a tomb and if it is a structure used for sun or moon alignments then which era are we looking at? We think of it as Neolithic because that is when the portal dolmens are said to have been used. Surely to work out alignments we need to know the date as things have changed? I don't know much about this topic but from research I have done on other alignments on Bodmin Moor I know that sun rises/settings have changed over the years

As I always say to people I talk to about any prehistoric site....I can only give them ideas about what the site was used for....they may have other ideas.....we will, i believe, never know the truth.