The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian
Home Latest Posts Forums Maps Help
Browse Sites News Blog Contributors The Books
Head To Head   The Modern Antiquarian   General Discussion Forum Start a topic | Search
The Modern Antiquarian
Re: Ballachulish figurine
145 messages
Select a forum:
moss wrote:
the Ballachulish wooden figure is as Branwen knows found in Ross's book, would have apparently been found in a small open sided wickerwork shrine
This is a pdf of the account of the finding of the Ballacullish goddess.
http://archaeologydataservice.[...]002/pdf/vol_015/15_158_178.pdf

I wondered if she was a representation of a malignant spirit, witch, or goddess.

It has nothing to do with how warped and twisted and creepy looking she became when dried out, or the shadowy display case she is in at the NMS in Edinburgh, which is also deliciously creepy. I've seen pictures of her as she was when found before before the wood warped.

It was more how she was found. Laid on her face, covered in wicker. Sounds similar to certain bog bodies and the roman description of the triple death the celts gave to the worst of criminals (presumably so even their spirit could not be reborn or reach the afterlife). She had a detached phallus held on her stomach, that was more obvious before she dried out. The Roos Carr figures had detachable phalluses. It never added up to the same thing as the Cailleach and her family in Glen Lyon for me, somehow. They seem more a celebration of the turning seasons, family, life cycles.

The Roos Carr figures are always decribed as being with a boat, but the assembled collection reminds me of saami symbols and artwork I've seen which relate to sleds, as well.
http://www.assemblage.group.shef.ac.uk/3/3melroo.htm

Then again, I may have a warped way of looking at things. I've got that book you mention as a partial on Googlebooks if you need me to look anything up, BTW.


Reply | with quote		Posted by Branwen
5th March 2010ce
20:19

In reply to:

Re: Ballachulish figurine (moss)

1 reply:

Re: Ballachulish figurine (StoneGloves)

Messages in this topic:

Terms & Conditions  |  Home  |  Julian Cope presents Head Heritage Top of page