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Stowe’s Pound

Stowe's Pound rock art!!!

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StoneLifter S
StoneLifter Dec 6, 2005 21:09:57
Replying to Mr Hamhead

It was stan that told me, over the phone, that these things are called micro-cups. Are they just over one face of the stone ? Is the ridge that can be made out in one of the photographs a seam of siliceous grit ? And has there been any ancient metal smelting known in the vicinity ?

Questions, questions, questions ...

M Mr Hamhead
Mr Hamhead Dec 6, 2005 23:07:27
Replying to StoneLifter

"a seam of silaceous grit"....bugger if i know! dont come over all techi here!

Its granite, I know that...

Yes there was tin streaming here going back as far as the Bronze Age according to some experts. There is written evidence of shallow mining going back to the 1500s I believe.

Mr H

P phil
phil Dec 7, 2005 20:33:18
Replying to StoneLifter

"It was stan that told me, over the phone, that these things are called micro-cups."


Another term is "pit marks", these are found on Holy Shrine of the Mnajdra temple in Malta, curiously they can be found on at least 5 Cornish crosses.
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/1754#post-4030

The holes that Miners filled with gunpowder at midsummer would have to be much deeper.
The gunpowder could have been stuffed down hard into a hole (with some wadding) and make a much more spectacular pop!

The practise was popular in the St Just area of Cornwall (I believe).