Re: Browne's Hill dolmen capstone not raised? | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Browne’s Hill 2

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Browne’s Hill

Browne's Hill dolmen capstone not raised?

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TheStandingStone Feb 9, 2011 09:31:25

Replying to GLADMAN

GLADMAN wrote:

Just wondering what people think about the suggestion that truly massive capstones - such as that at Browne's Hill - may have been 'dug out' of the earth in situ instead of being raised upon orthostats by our crafty ancient friends...

Could a wooden 'A' frame, for arguments sake - have been able to lift such a weight? Would it have been possible from an engineering point of view?

I suppose it would be easier to dig around a 150 ton capstone rather than try to move it far. These people had plenty of experience with working with heavy stone so I guess they were more than capable of constructing something to support the stone while they got the other stones in place.

The Labby Rock in Sligo is another portal tomb where the stone may have been in situ and worked around.

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/1037/carrickglass.html

S

Sanctuary Feb 9, 2011 09:40:56

Replying to TheStandingStone

TheStandingStone wrote:

GLADMAN wrote:

Just wondering what people think about the suggestion that truly massive capstones - such as that at Browne's Hill - may have been 'dug out' of the earth in situ instead of being raised upon orthostats by our crafty ancient friends...

Could a wooden 'A' frame, for arguments sake - have been able to lift such a weight? Would it have been possible from an engineering point of view?

I suppose it would be easier to dig around a 150 ton capstone rather than try to move it far. These people had plenty of experience with working with heavy stone so I guess they were more than capable of constructing something to support the stone while they got the other stones in place.

The Labby Rock in Sligo is another portal tomb where the stone may have been in situ and worked around.

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/1037/carrickglass.html

I don't know if they would need something to support the capstone would they? If you came in from one 'corner' at a time and installed the upright then that corner is taken care of and you move on to the next. That's of course if the capstone was to remain in exactly the same position.