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Arbor Low

What Is It??

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"The special fine-grained stone used to make the Langdale axes doesn't only outcrop at that remote spot, but nonetheless, that was the place selected. In simple, practicle terms, it doesn't make sense - any more than it makes sense to transport huge bluestone rocks from the Preseli Hills of South Wales to Stonehenge; but that's what happened. Strangely, there is a link between the two places: they are both high and remote, with spectacular views, but more than that, the rock itself is sharp, angular, strangely columnar and most artificial in appearance. It would not take an overactive imagination to see these rocky outcrops as something removed from this world, perhaps assembled or created by a race altogether more powerful beings than us".

Francis Pryor
Britain BC

Yes, this is where I'm coming from in terms of the non-trade argument. It seems the location itself was as important as the axe, possibly more so (esp. if the same rock can be found elsewhere). I know that this can still be turned on it's head - amount we pay for real champagne versus other sparkling wines for example.

The distribution of axes does not lend itself to a classic ecomonic model - most being found at greatest distance from the source, the source being in a particularly remote and difficult location whilst alternative sources exist but apparently went unused.

It may be that it was all part of the ritual - the source, the journey, it's final destination.

That is what I'm getting at.

I quite agree that such thoughts may have had a large degree of influence in selecting the spot for an axe factory. A remote spot is also useful for preserving trade secrets, but this falls apart because most axes seem to have been roughed up at the quarry and finished elsewhere.