Re: The Archaeology of a Monumental Mound | Forum

Silbury Hill 180

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The Archaeology of a Monumental Mound

tiompan Jan 30, 2010 18:16:14

Replying to Branwen

Branwen wrote:

I wonder why British folklore on the subject of stones as ancestors was ignored for so long. Anthropologically, most seem to prefer to consult other "similar" cultures to those we had here for information.

That point about the sarsens and antlers representing the "ancestors " is purely 21st C speculation and isn't even based on folklore . Stones have a multitude of historical explanations from folklore and antiquarians the "ancestors " is not one of the most common .

Branwen Jan 30, 2010 19:32:05

Replying to tiompan

I might not be following, but stones as ancestors is an old idea in folklore. The custom of telling the stones of a death or birth in the family, same as you would with the other relations springs to mind. Soul stones too, which are stones which a person's spirit has moved into.

Littlestone Jan 30, 2010 20:14:11

Replying to tiompan

That point about the sarsens and antlers representing the "ancestors " is purely 21st C speculation and isn't even based on folklore .

I think I may have missed the bit about antlers representing the ancestors but the small sarsen boulders found within Silbury may be a different matter. It is true that a connection between the boulders at Silbury and the ancestors may be 21st (and 20th) century speculation but so too is much of the speculation found on these pages - speculation which has subsequently been accepted by the academic community.

It's good to see this topic now opening up on TMA and, while not wishing to detract from that, an interesting parallel discussion will also be found here - http://www.eternalidol.com/?p=6179