Re: What criteria for a natural TMA monument? | Forum

Saith Maen 1

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What criteria for a natural TMA monument?

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thesweetcheat Jan 3, 2011 22:34:14

Replying to GLADMAN

GLADMAN wrote:

My recent visit to Saith Maen confirmed that the giant shake hole a few yards to the north of the site must surely have been part of the original 'vision'. Surely? Just wondering what people have to say about:

1) what criteria need to be met to class an obviously natural feature as a genuine TMA prehistoric ritualistic site? E.g Sacred Hill, rock feature etc.
2) what other examples are there out there, aside from Capel Garmon and Bryn Celli Ddu?

I sense a right old can of worms here! I think you must be right about the inclusion of natural features in the "vision" of the site. Rock features seem to feature prominently near a number of stone circles, such as Nine Stones Close/Robin Hood's Stride; Tregeseal/Carn Kenidjack; Nine Maidens/Carn Galva; Brisworthy/Legis Tor, etc ,etc. Add in natural hills like Blakey Topping and its stone circle.

It's difficult to imagine that any "sacred" site wasn't situated in complete awareness of its natural surroundings, so I don't know where you draw the line, honestly. To answer your first question is therefore very difficult. Intervisibility with other sites must score highly, but is not by any means essential. I don't know why things like the Cheesewring are necessarily TMA-ish, but it does seem entirely right that they are. Perhaps it's the fact that they were simply "there" when our ancestors were deciding to build their own monuments, which would have been seen as either embellishments to, or impositions upon, nature - I guess. Struggling, sorry!

megadread Jan 3, 2011 23:08:18

Replying to thesweetcheat

I always struggle to see the Andle stone as it's described, "a natural altar".
A platform for speaking maybe, but altar. ?

It's a mine field aint it.

Sanctuary Jan 4, 2011 00:02:53

Replying to thesweetcheat

thesweetcheat wrote:

I like the question because I live just 10 minutes up the road from the Cheesewring and can't help but feel that it played a huge part in the development, for want of a better word, for the placement of the Hurlers and Rillaton Barrow. When stood next to the barrow a few weeks back whilst shooting a video for my own records I was continually being drawn to the rock formations on Stowes and felt compelled to asked myself on film if they were the very reason that the barrow and Hurlers were there and the possibility of their builders worshiping them. Difficult to explan but looking at them knelt down beside the entrance to the kist I felt that they looked down onto the moor and were in command of it. I'm sure their great age would have been seen as a powerful statement and something that should be revered. And that's how if felt to me living in todays world!