Chalk & Lichen | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Pete G Apr 1, 2005 01:51:29

Replying to FourWinds

I've often wondered how much damage chalk actualy does to the stones and to the lichens.
I've told people to keep of the stones when I've seen them climbing all over them but 90% of the stones are the ones that Kieller put up and he scrubbed them clean so any lichen on them is only at best 70 years old.
Other stones like the Cove may have older lichens on them but it seems to me that the lichen is hardy enough to survive bad weather and the effects of animals rubbing against the stones.
I've not seen a chalk scribbling last very long once the rains come...
PeteG

goffik Apr 1, 2005 07:30:25

Replying to Pete G

Aye - it may "only" be chalk, but it's still ugly, innit?

I was at Waylands Smithy last week (sorry for repeating meself!) and some child (someone saw her doing it) had very thoughtfully numbered the stones! And someone else had to tell their child not to chalk inside. I gave one stone a tentative rub (I'll get a reputation!) to see if the chalk would come off easily without too much pressure, and it seemed quite happy to come off with a moistened finger! Although I doubt I'd have much finger left if I'd done the same to all the stones...

Doesn't take much effort to NOT put chalk everywhere, does it?

Stopped at Avebury for 5 minutes on the way up and was just about to ask someone to not climb on that reconstructed stone at the car park end, but their dad looked quite nasty so I left them to it. The stones might be quite tough, but I'm a greet big puff..! ;o)

G x

VenerableBottyBurp Apr 1, 2005 15:17:44

Replying to Pete G

"I've not seen a chalk scribbling last very long once the rains come..."

There is a chalk drawing on a wall at Trusloe that has been there so long that the little girl that did it is now a big girl !

The point is that this drawing was then joined by others as it encourages mimicry and acceptance.

VBB

Graffiti at WKLB. lock

Graffiti at WKLB.