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The Fylingdales Stone

Fire reveals moor's stone legacy

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smallblueplanet S
smallblueplanet Dec 23, 2004 15:38:19
Replying to Rhiannon

"Also this stuff about the rock art deteriorating if it's left where it is.. it's under the peat where it's been for years....."

I guess we'd have to take the word of the experts who have examined it then? Their idea is that the fire has negatively affected its condition and reburying it may do more damage.

"As the person responsible for the laser scanning of the stone it's exceptionally fragile due to the action of the fire on the moor.
If a single person were to attempt a rubbing of the stone, there's a good chance the carved surfaces would detach and be lost forever.

Alistair Carty
Technical Director
Archaeoptics Ltd.

R Rhiannon
Rhiannon Dec 23, 2004 15:52:39
Replying to smallblueplanet

I don't doubt that this chap from 'Archaeoptics' is an expert. But what is he an expert IN? He's presumably an expert technician in scanning all sorts of archaeological artifacts including statues and sculptures - if you see their website.

Your argument is using a false expert witness - the man's not an expert on the rate of decay of rocks, nor is he a conservationist from a museum. I don't think his opinion on its fragility necessarily cuts the mustard I'm afraid. And if it really was so fragile it couldn't take the pressure of a piece of paper and a wax crayon - how could it have been put back in the ground, it would have been condemning the carving to fall off in the next ten minutes, in fact there'd be no point in us arguing about it because it's already lost. In fact how could he have stood by and watched them shovel soil over it if he really believed it was doomed to ruin.

B BrigantesNation
BrigantesNation Dec 23, 2004 18:05:27
Replying to smallblueplanet

I completely accept if it is that fragile, I too would be pressing for the same as you. However, I've been stung too many times by EH press releases and statements that stretch things, usually in the hunt for funding.

Have you spoken to the Moors archaeologist about it?

W Winterwolf
Winterwolf Dec 24, 2004 09:28:10
Replying to smallblueplanet

As one of the people who's actually seen the stone, I have to disagree with archaeopix's assessment. The stone, to my eyes (and hands) is in pretty good condition, there's no fire-damage I could see. When the fire was actually going, only the very uppermost portion of the stone was exposed, and as it was part of a rubble barrow, there wasn't much on it to burn. One or two of the cup & ring stones on the moor have suffered some fire flaking, but not "the big one". There are pecked rock art panels on other parts of the moor, and they haven't deteriorated too badly, so personally I can't see why they can't leave it uncovered. Another option would be to put a turf mat over the top like they have on the "aeroplane" and the "elusive P" stones to keep the worst of the elements off the carving. I'd certainly be a lot happier with it visible

As for the comments about this getting stolen, it weighs at least a ton if not more and it's on a very exposed bit of moor - anyone attempting to remove it is going to need some pretty hefty kit, and it would be noticed. You'd be surprised at how little you can get away with around there without the locals spotting you!

Dating-wise, I suspect it's earlier than the barrow it's built into by a fair bit. The nearest parallel to the art on the stone in the area would be the Folkton drums, which are reckoned Neolithic, but the barrows are middle Bronze Age if I remember right.

Anyway ,I'll try and get round to putting my pictures up this weekend for you all - merry Christmas!

Cheers,
WW