axe carvings

Boscawen-Ûn 6

Image by Chris Bond

Rhiannon Mar 10, 2014 13:58:10

I was just dreaming about Cornwall (because hoorah I'm actually getting time off work and GOING)... and I read something about axe heads carved on the central stone in Boscawen-Un.

Now this is something that's repeated all over the internet it would seem. But i can't find a picture. And I'm wondering whether it's Accepted Fact or the product of a brain overheated by stone circle vibes and general cornish enthusiasm. That would be fair enough.

Because it would be a very unusual thing wouldn't it, a carving of an axe on a stone. But not totally unknown, I mean you have those at stonehenge, and the pool farm cist and wotnot. But then again (see paragraph above).

Is this something anyone else is aware of and has had a look for? Or am I going to have to nip out of bed very early on holiday and sneak a look in the low light myself? It is nice at Boscawen-Un isn't it.

goffik Mar 10, 2014 14:22:28

Replying to Rhiannon

I've heard of these as well, and I reckon Ocifant is yer man! He'll know, and is probably there as we speak. ;)

We're off there soon as well - yay! Canna wait! :)

G x

ocifant Mar 10, 2014 16:24:01

Replying to Rhiannon

I'll be there on Thursday, if not before. I can confirm the stories, and know the guy that first spotted the axe (Andy Norfolk), but I've never actually seen the axe myself. It's said to be very low on the central stone, and only visible in certain light. I've obviously not been there at the right time in all the years I've been visiting...

Andy is on the Portal I think, he may be able to provide images. If not I'll ask another friend of mine down here who is into photogrammetry techniques. He's working on the St Piran's Oratory project at the moment.

thesweetcheat Mar 10, 2014 18:26:09

Replying to Rhiannon

There's a drawing in Ian McNeil Cooke's essential guidebook to West Penwith "Journey To The Stones".

ocifant Mar 10, 2014 19:36:09

Replying to Rhiannon

Ok, thanks to serendipitously meeting up with Bladup, who was at the circle when I arrived, I can report that yes, the axe carvings do exist! Not carvings so much as bas relief, they're on the underside of the central stone, on the right hand side. Quite large, about the size of my hand.

I'd always looked on the 'top' side of the stone in the past, no wonder I'd never seen then :-)

thesweetcheat Mar 10, 2014 22:35:01

Replying to Rhiannon

The axes are towards the bottom of the stone, on the right hand side in this picture (the light isn't helpful though, as it was behind the stone).

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/88762/boscawenun.html