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Stanton Fitzwarren

Standing Stone at Stanton Fitzwarren

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tjj T
tjj Jan 30, 2011 10:16:50

I heard about this stone two or three years ago via Terence Meaden author of The Secrets of the Avebury Stones. Yesterday, with difficulty (and help from friend) I found the well hidden Standing Stone at Stanton Fitzwarren at SU182903 (Explorer 169). Definitely a sarsen, it stands the same height as myself at 5'4".

Knowledgeable friend thinks it may be a boundary stone; it is true that there are many large sarsen stones in the hedgerows around Avebury. Stanton Fitzwarren is north and not typical of the Wiltshire landscape, just off the A361 between Swindon and Highworth. No sarsens in this terrain at all and this stone does not look like an 'imported' one that can be found around Swindon. The hedgerow seems to have been planted around it; it is off the beaten track on the edge of this ancient village (manor house, church and mill).

Would be grateful for any information.

W wideford
wideford Jan 30, 2011 12:57:51
Replying to tjj

If it is E of Stanton Fitzwarren then ""Excavation on its south side in 1920 found flint flakes a small distance away and "one doubtful bit of pottery" according to http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/search/fr.cfm?rcn=NMR_NATINV-867693.

C Chance
Chance Jan 30, 2011 20:05:26
Replying to tjj

Also listed on Wiltshire SMR as No.SU19SE552

http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/smr/getsmr.php?id=16560

Description
Undated stone, area south of which was excavated in 1920.

Details
A stone standing in a hedge in 1920. Passmore excavated south of it without result.

Sources
Devizes Museum Library - AD Passmore Notebook 516

S Sanctuary
Sanctuary Feb 2, 2011 12:28:41
Replying to tjj

tjj wrote:
I heard about this stone two or three years ago via Terence Meaden author of The Secrets of the Avebury Stones. Yesterday, with difficulty (and help from friend) I found the well hidden Standing Stone at Stanton Fitzwarren at SU182903 (Explorer 169). Definitely a sarsen, it stands the same height as myself at 5'4".

Knowledgeable friend thinks it may be a boundary stone; it is true that there are many large sarsen stones in the hedgerows around Avebury. Stanton Fitzwarren is north and not typical of the Wiltshire landscape, just off the A361 between Swindon and Highworth. No sarsens in this terrain at all and this stone does not look like an 'imported' one that can be found around Swindon. The hedgerow seems to have been planted around it; it is off the beaten track on the edge of this ancient village (manor house, church and mill).

Would be grateful for any information.

Just out of interest where did the idea of some boundary stones originate from? Are we just assuming that some are boundary stones because they appear to be on the perimeter of a chosen area or could some of them simply be stones dug up out of the ground and set up alongside a road that maybe they were in the path of? What exactly is the criteria?

D dave clarkson
dave clarkson Feb 2, 2011 18:56:08
Replying to tjj

..is that anywhere near the Stanton House hotel near south Marston?

8)

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