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Idolising Orkney 2

Having seen photos of three more idols the Springfield Quarryman found by Andrew Appleby still stands on its own by reason of its form. Of the two Brecks of Netherbrough steatite figures one resembles that from Dale by having a square corner with the head atop this. But its right-hand side starts with a short vertical and continues with a long vertical to the neck i.e. as if a naive drawing of a house terminated at the chimney. The second one is equally angular but with the head central above a wedge-shaped body (inevitably bringing to mind the Westray Wifie as this is fresh in the memory). The third idol comes from George Petrie [Archaeologica Scotica V, p.90. This 13" high dressed stone has similar proportions but is curvilinear, with an ovoid head which appears to be hunched slightly forward and having more of a neck than the others except Quarryman. The edges appear bevelled. Petrie says similar figures have come from several brochs - he gives as examples Berstane, Hillock of Breakna, Hoxa, Steeringlo and Eves Howe (or perhaps Howan).

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wideford Posted by wideford
4th September 2010ce


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