Time Team episode from the year 2000 on “The Mystery of Mine Howe”, which includes an interesting little fly-through of a 3D model of the site (c24minutes in).
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Thanks for the link, really enjoyed watching and despite my field notes saying it should be erased from all records I now can't wait to go back. Funny how quickly time erodes memories
It'll be interesting to see how you feel a second time, with expectations inevitably in your mind! My sister and I were in a certain church not that long ago - I'd been looking forward to seeing some (minorly) famous carvings. And it had a really unpleasant feel, we couldn't wait to get out. I wasn't anticipating anything of the sort, and we've been in a lot of churches (a lot) and never felt anything like that. Now it's become That Place in my mind and I wouldn't fancy returning. We didn't run for it though, and stayed long enough to take some photos. I not sure if the experience has become worse with rethinking about it. I think it was largely the smell though. Smell taps right into your reptilian brain. And when that bit says 'get out' you'd be sensible to comply - flight or fight.
Do you think smell had a impact on your impression of Mine Howe?
Looking back I think I was simply disoriented by a combination of the spiral passage, the wet and dank interior, concentrating on the slippery stone steps, thinking I shouldn't be doing this alone and possibly my torch was on the wane. I have experienced the uncomfortable sensation smell can conjure up, however, on this occasion think I was just caught up in some form of self induced hysteria which I have now heavily reprimanded myself for and will simply have to go back to put it to bed.
Thanks for your thoughts. I hope you can take a chum next time. Perhaps it'll be quite different. You'll have to let us know one day.