SJ 707 377 - Devil's Ring and Finger | Forum

melchior Mar 29, 2004 10:55:24

I've been researching the provenance of these 'quoits'. There's an argument they are either a. recent (AD) and/or b. resited. They were in situ circa 1800 AD. But English Heritage have little if any interest in them. The 'Oakley Park' they stand in is nicely evocative, however.

A visting group of gentlemen remarked on the associated henge - some 200 years ago. Not that they could see it, but rather knew of it there or thereabouts.

Does anyone know any more - local traditions etc.?

Thanks

Melchior

BlueGloves Mar 29, 2004 13:47:19

Replying to melchior

It's believed that the holed stones may have acted as gateways to the entrances of cairns. Originally there were probably blocking disks, of stone, that kept the places shut. I think there are sites in France that have both stones. There is a suitable blocking stone here - http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/post/20523 - but I'm not sure how it would measure up to the hole. I could make a template in cardboard, next month, I guess.

greywether Mar 29, 2004 14:32:15

Replying to melchior

One small addition which may open up another line of research.

According to Rodney Castleden in "Neolithic Britain", the site was originally known as "The Whirl Stones".

SJ 707 377 — Devil's Ring and Finger