Buried stones and yew trees

Fortingall Churchyard 1

Image by postman

Martin Dec 18, 2001 17:23:37

Hey yous
I was writing up some notes on a cup marked stone in Fortingall Churchyard when I came across the following info from the RCAHMS database- apparently this stone was buried at a depth of 8 foot just a few feet from the (approx) 3000 year old yew tree. Now I know that stones get buried due to agricultural activities (although I very much doubt there would have been much going on around this tree and sacred site) but *eight foot*- methinks this was a deliberate burial. Has anyone else come across such stone burial? Was this stone *ever* meant to be standing, or was it cup marked and buried as a magickal symbol next to the yew tree? Hmmmmmm ;)
TKnowxxx

FourWinds Dec 19, 2001 09:01:30

Replying to Martin

Remember the link to the petroglyphic stone with the 7.5 cm deep cup marks? That was buried at about 4 foot I think. The odd thing is that several others have been found in the same area at around the same depth!

It is curious. The ground there is very marshy, but I don't think that they could have sunk that far.

I am not aware of any relationship to trees or other landmarks and these stones, they just seem to have been buried in this one locale.

I will ask around a bit when I am in the area over the yule period.

Annexus Quam Dec 19, 2001 13:25:43

Replying to Martin

Is the stone supposedly sacred? Any marks of ancient hand?

I only know of buried stones INSIDE dolmens. We'd think that might be a ritual but how about a stone which was discarded or buried for eternity as an offering? Things are buried in this way in the ancient world and that includes stones;
I'd be interested to know what kind of stone it is.

Joe Chip Dec 19, 2001 14:37:22

Replying to Martin

Aren't a circle of ash trees (or perhaps yew) sites where there was an ancient Druid college / teaching circle?

Pete G Dec 19, 2001 22:32:36

Replying to Martin

There is a stone buried in the roots of the Yew at Alton Priors in the Pewsey vale.
The tree is in excess of 1700 years.
The disused church is also very interesting. Inside there are 2 trap doors that conceal Sarsen stones, one of them with a hole.
There is also a Huge Yew at stoke Gabriel on the river dart in Devon that has the remains of a stone circle around its 18ft trunk.
Yews are Kool!
Pete G

caergog Dec 20, 2001 00:03:05

Replying to Martin

I wonder... if you say they had markings on them then maybe they were buried becuase they were sacred to hide them from incomers/invading tribes ( in the way that certain hoards have been buried and in modern times nazi treasures hidden in the vatican during the war) the close proximity of the yew tree(either planted by them or already present) may serve as a marker if these people were ever to return, maybe they were defeated and unable to reclaim their sacred stone.
just a thought!
caroline

IronMan Jan 3, 2002 14:17:20

Replying to Martin

What is it with yew trees? A friend of mine told me that there was a definite link between yew trees and henges - he also claimed that if you sit under a yew for long enough you'd start to trip out! I can't say I've tried it (yet!) but I am intrigued by Yew trees nonetheless. Does anyone have any more information or ideas about these ancient trees?
As for the Fortingall tree it's over 5,000 years old!
http://www.fortingall.com/yew-tree.htm
also check
http://www.tree-register.org/
for some really old trees!