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Re: Climbing on Standing Stones
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Sanctuary wrote:
Resonox wrote:
tjj wrote:
Sanctuary wrote:
Resonox wrote:


TJJ could you please clarify for me what you mean by "albeit a reconstruction"...cheers


Here's a 1910 photo of the Den
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/5451164002/


Devil's Den was the remains of a long barrow - the mound destroyed and the stones fallen. It was restored in the early part of the 20th century by a well meaning antiquary who restored to how he thought it should look. I was puzzled as to why it was the only 'portal tomb' in Wiltshire until reading the superb little book by Peter Fowler and Ian Blackwell An English Countryside Restored - The Land of Lettice Sweetapple (found in my local Tourist Information Centre and still one of the most useful reference books on the Fyfield/Overton area there is).


I just wondered if by reconstruction you meant it was "recreated" using non-original stones and did climbers over the ages cause the original knocking down. I would've thought that the renovators would've noticed rock-art especially if it is such a rarity in the area. BTW you should've voiced your opinion at the "disrespect" at the time even though you didn't feel it was harming the (reconstructed)stones, your associates might've had a little respect for your feelings and not investigated the stone quite as thoroughly in your presence.


In 'defence' of June, although she certainly doesn't need me to stand up for her, it's not always easy to voice an opinion when in the company of people who you may consider your peers or you are fearful of if strangers. A 'time and a place' often decides these things and I've been in that position myself on more than one occasion.


No-one needs to defend June...as nothing was said for her to defend (was there???maybe it reads that way not the intent and I still can't see it)...but I still feel the people she was with might've shown her a little respect because she has voiced many times of her "feelings" for stones and sites So I'll offer a defence for her...Why anyone would climb on rocks on the off-chance(and a highly successful off-chance at that) to look for markings which are relatively unknown anywhere else in the vicinity is disrespectful of her feelings...I am sure prior to visiting the Den there must have been some degree of conversation and discussion of how people view stone sites as they didn't all arrive there by happy coincidence unbeknownst to one and other.


Reply | with quote		Posted by Resonox
18th February 2012ce
13:51

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Re: Climbing on Standing Stones (Sanctuary)

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