Chips are good for health?

Stonehenge 180

Image by fitzcoraldo

TMA Ed Sep 22, 2008 11:27:02

Originally posted by Nigelswift, but if suffered 'technical problems'. TMA Ed.

New dating evidence for the Stonehenge bluestone circle
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7625145.stm
(On again live at about 8.00am, BBC One)

but what about this -

"They also found that bluestone chippings outnumbered sarsen stone chippings by three to one - which Wainwright takes to be a sign of their value.

"It could be that people were flaking off pieces of bluestone, in order to create little bits to take away... as lucky amulets," he said. "

Hmmmmm.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Lucky he didn't post that here as it would have been dismissed as typical amateur speculation. How can loads of chippings lying around be evidence people were taking them away?

nigelswift Sep 22, 2008 11:51:13

Replying to TMA Ed

Thanks Ed.

moss Sep 22, 2008 16:02:56

Replying to TMA Ed

I did'nt post it cos I did'nt believe a word of it ;) but of course that can be construed as biased - but the image of a tourist shop selling 'Lourdes' healing bluestones just does'nt seem believable....

grufty jim Sep 22, 2008 16:33:04

Replying to TMA Ed

TMA Ed wrote:

Lucky he didn't post that here as it would have been dismissed as typical amateur speculation. How can loads of chippings lying around be evidence people were taking them away?

Actually, this makes perfect sense (though I'm not saying his theory is correct). Firstly, if you chip away at a stone, it's likely to result in several other small fragments falling to the ground. Secondly, if you are chipping at a stone to remove a piece (e.g. to fashion into a piece of jewellry?) you may well dislodge several chips before getting one of the size and shape you need.

As I say, I'm not supporting this theory, just pointing out that the presence of loads of chippings could well be the result of people taking other chippings away.

jose958 Sep 22, 2008 16:45:35

Replying to TMA Ed

Is a Very interesting story.

http://dolmen.es.iespana.es/

Chris Collyer Sep 22, 2008 19:32:48

Replying to TMA Ed

I wonder if any bluestone flakes have been found in contemporary burials around the country - anybody know of any?

Nice to see Mike Pitts on the BBC news adding his tuppence worth with the suggestion that the chippings were simply the result of the bluestones being shaped on site, suppose it depends what levels the chippings were found at. I got the impression that there is a fair level of archaeo rivalry going on between the various groups of professionals.

-Chris

nigelswift Sep 23, 2008 07:44:37

Replying to TMA Ed

http://209.85.129.104/search?q=cache:TQHpcPT8ZscJ:www.skyandlandscape.com/pdf/Bluestones1.pdf+%22preseli+bluestone%22+project&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=uk

moss Sep 26, 2008 09:34:55

Replying to TMA Ed

Okay here's a favourite wordster on the subject - Simon Jenkins...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/26/archaeology.heritage

"Were the lordly proprietors of Hospice Stonehenge sold a complete pup by those wily Welshmen who forgot to mention, please add water?"

scubi63 Oct 12, 2008 17:10:20

Replying to TMA Ed

There was a short piece on Stonehenge in Countryfile this morning and is available on BBC IPlayer.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00dzx2b/Countryfile_12102008/

Nothing new was said but did notice a comment that the tunnel scheme was scrapped because of the cost!
And that you have just a few days left to voice your opinions on any future tourist development.

:o)

Scubes