The Matfen Stone

fantastic! :-)

Shiver me timbers! Super shot :)

Knock knock, excuse me I got an information to ask: in my deep ignorance, (I've never been to England but I plan to do it soon and, worst, I've never read the books of Julian. I find it difficult to find them here in Italy), The Matfen Stone reminds me a lot of The Queen Stone near Symonds Yat and The Devil's Arrows of Yorkshire.The question is: are those kind of stones of natural conformation with their deep lines on the their tops or those lines are engraved by human hands? Thank you tom

Hi Tommy The lines in the tops of the stones you mentioned are generally agreed to be from natural erosion in that particular kind of stone. (I can't remember what stone it is....) Rudston monolith themodernantiquarian.com/site/334/rudston_monolith.html has had a metal 'cap' for many years now to try to stop it happening.... love Moth

Well Mr Moth, I think it's Northumbrian Fell sandstone, from the carboniferous period (apparently). There are still some lumps of it in situ with the grooves: themodernantiquarian.com/post/39742/bowden_doors.html Nearly all of Northumberland's standing stones are made from it, and those that are all have the grooves. The concensus opinion seems to be that they were probably a bit grooved when they were first put up, and that a few thousand years of gravity and water have enhanced them. Devil's Arrows are probably the same stuff. Tommy, if you want to see pics of more of these kind of groovey things have a look at: themodernantiquarian.com/site/3844/warrior_stone.html themodernantiquarian.com/site/3340/poind_and_his_man.html themodernantiquarian.com/post/55088/middleton.html themodernantiquarian.com/post/36692/wallington_hall.html themodernantiquarian.com/post/40743/bygate_hill.html themodernantiquarian.com/site/3329/newtown_mill.html themodernantiquarian.com/post/11244/doddington_stone_circle.html and not forgetting the bestest examples: themodernantiquarian.com/site/91/duddo_five_stones.html#images (Nice photie Andy btw ;)

Hi Mr Moth and Mr Hob, thank you so much for your exhaustive explanation. You've been very useful to me. I'm trying to understand the reasons why our ancestors were chosen that particular kind of stone instead of another to build up their monuments. I'm studying but there's not so much in books (at least in italian books) about it. So I use my nose and every information is precious! You really got the Best of sites over there! I'm so happy since I've known You and I'm so proud to be a contributor on TMA. Because of TMA I got three new megalythomaniacs friends of my area here in Italy (one is a new TMA contributor too, his name is Wido). So surely we'll make something good together! Love and Gratitude Tommy

Carlow has lots of groovy stones too, Ardristan being one of the finest! themodernantiquarian.com/site/3056/ardristan.html

Sadly Hob is relating a load of bollocks. The grooves have been carved into the stones as a conscious act of design. Rock of the hardness of fine-grained sandstone simply does not erode in this way ...

Tommy, it's great to be able to be helpful. Though I did forget one: themodernantiquarian.com/site/6072/bunkerhill_plantation.html SL, replace the words "Sadly Hob is" with " Once again I am" and I'll agree with you 100% ;-p

Tommy I think the type of stone was chosen simply because it is local. SL: there are plenty of upright stones, now fallen, which show the weathering. There are also rock outcrops which show it. MY favourite example of natural weathering: themodernantiquarian.com/post/10882/st_cuthberts_cave.html

One a little further south, but thought equally natural: themodernantiquarian.com/site/4948/idol_rock.html