Re: more damage? or the same? | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Rhiannon Oct 16, 2007 10:05:30

Replying to LivingRocks

That's interesting to see your photos, LivingRocks, thanks for that.

I'm not 100% sure how I feel about the whole thing. I mean obviously it was Very Naughty to carve a spiral on a Scheduled Monument, and I don't condone that at all. But once it's there.. well at least it wasn't "Bob woz ere" or (that classic bit of graffiti) a cock 'n' balls. It's quite a nice spiral, it looks like a fern unfolding or something. So smashing it with a rock, it could be said, actually makes it look worse. And is certainly damage to the 'monument' in itself. Whereas if it were left, it'd fill with dirt and lichen and moss and merge into the background a bit. So I do feel that whoever's trying to remove it has kind of got their wires crossed a bit.

ah I don't know. it seems a difficult one to me.

moss Oct 16, 2007 10:24:49

Replying to Rhiannon

"ah I don't know. it seems a difficult one to me."

I reckon its the same person, a youthful act in 1993, then came back 14 years later, and smashed up his earlier beliefs out of a feeling of guilt, its up to EH to work it out....

Moth Oct 16, 2007 13:19:44

Replying to Rhiannon

Rhiannon wrote:

...smashing it with a rock, it could be said, actually makes it look worse. And is certainly damage to the 'monument' in itself. Whereas if it were left, it'd fill with dirt and lichen and moss and merge into the background a bit. So I do feel that whoever's trying to remove it has kind of got their wires crossed a bit.

ah I don't know. it seems a difficult one to me.

I think the first part of what you said that I've quoted means it's not difficult at all! (Though of course I agree that the carving should never have been there in the first place!)

love

Moth