Looking down on the excavated section of the enclosure ditch. On the left is the entrance to the northern tunnel, which leads from the ditch to the fogou. This has been more fully explored since the photo was taken.
The fallen lintel stone lying in the main passage. Since this photo was taken, the stone has been lifted and placed back across the roof of the passage (summer 2024).
Looking east along the E-W section of the main passage.
Looking south along the N-S section of the main passage. The entrance to the western rock-cut passage is off to the right. The steps at the end lead up to ground level.
In the main passage, showing the impressive preservation of the side walls.
The eastern end of the western rock-cut passage where it joins the main passage, showing the height difference between the two sections. G/F (on the left) is standing in the main passage.
The shored up western rock-cut passage. Heading in this direction, it leads from the fogou to the outer enclosure ditch.
Looking north along the N-S section of the main passage. This is approximately same position as the viewpoint in the photo dirtyfingernails posted in 2004, with more of the passage’s floor exposed since then.
Looking west along the E-W section of the main passage. Immediately in front of and below the viewpoint, right of centre, is the entrance to the northern tunnel. David Clifton (in red shirt) is standing above the other end of the rock-cut tunnel near its junction with the enclosure ditch.
Visited 23 June 2023.
After leaving Roskruge Beacon, we headed northwest along more winding lanes past the imposing gates of Roskruge Barton. A footpath leads across a ploughed field, thankfully bone dry after a prolonged dry spell, up a gentle slope towards the site of the fogou.
I was completely unaware of either the Time Team dig here, or the ongoing excavations, so was really just hoping for some kind of glimpse of something in the corner of the field. Instead, we arrive to an active site, with two archaeologists (Peter Seabrook and David Clifton of the Meneage Archaeology Group) braving the baking heat to uncover yet more of this amazing site.
With no prompting, we get invited onto the site to see what they’re working on, and are given access to both the exposed main passage and also the scaffolding-propped tunnel to the west. It’s really impressive. The main passage is roofless but otherwise very well-preserved. It has a very unusual right-angled bend in it, beyond which a surviving lintel stone lies fallen across the passageway. The partly dug tunnel off to the west appears to be rock- or rab-cut. Back on ground level, we’re shown the tantalising end of another blocked tunnel and void to the north of the main passage. This apparently is a second rab-cut passage running from the fogou to the outer enclosure ditch and is likely to have been the ‘artificial cave’ reported by the Rev Polwhele in 1803. The Iron Age enclosure ditch is currently filled in, but was itself very deep and enclosed the whole fogou site. It’s terrific to see this second passage in the process of being encovered.
Peter shows us some of the pottery finds from the site. What a brilliant stroke of luck to find the site being worked on and to get such a great reception.
We’re pointed off in the general direction of the settlement site to the northwest. Much of this is unworked, with only some shallow trenches in place. We’re asked to stay out of the dig site, which we readily agree to. From here we carry on northwest along the footpath, which promptly vanishes and leaves us to improvise an exit from the next field.
I had intended to visit the Tremenhere standing stone today, but time at the fogou means that we no longer have long enough to get there before the infrequent bus back to Helston. It can wait for another day, this has been more than enough reward for the little effort involved in our visit.
Postscript: Since our visit in June 2023, the rock-cut northern tunnel has been fully dug out, and the fallen lintel stone we saw in the bottom of the main passage has now been lifted back into place (see link to video).
The extensive views northeast across the Fal estuary and Roseland, all the way to the Dodman.
Visited 23 June 2023.
A lovely summer’s day, we walk from St Keverne, after a look around the church. Winding, narrow lanes that would probably be quiet most of the time are being used by a succession of huge tractors and trailers, so getting to the Beacon without being permanently squashed into a hedge is quite the triumph.
The Beacon turns out to be easy to access, a double stile from the road next to the trig pillar giving access straight to it. It can also be reached from the field-gate to the southwest, providing a more level (but potentially muddier) route to the barrow.
The Beacon itself is a really impressive mound. It has a metal cage on its top, for wood to light the beacon fires, but is otherwise in excellent condition, a very tall, grassy mound.
Although the Lizard isn’t particularly hilly, the Beacon stands on top of one of the area’s highest and most prominent summits; only a metre or so lower than Goonhilly Down a few miles away. This gives it superb views, especially to the coast to the northeast. Falmouth and St Mawes are easy to see, but despite the slight haze we can see Nare Head and Gull Island, and as far away as Dodman Point with its huge cliff fort. It’s easy to see why this spot was chosen for a beacon, but also for a round barrow. Presumably a fire atop Carne Beacon near Veryan would be visible from here. We stop for lunch and enjoy the quiet now the tractors have gone.
After a while we head off northeast, to an even more exciting site, Higher Boden Fogou.
Video showing the restoration of the fallen lintel at Higher Boden Fogou earlier this year.
The fort, centre, seen across Pedn Vounder beach from the west.
The huge banks of the outer ramparts, seen from Treen Cliff to the northwest.
The inner fort, an amazing place of sheer cliffs and jagged rock, with a stone rampart at its base.
The natural defences; steep cliffs protecting the ‘neck’ of the fort. Looking west towards Porthcurno.
Structural remains in the middle ramparts.
Photographer unknown. Photo on display at Penlee House, showing the Penwith Natural History and Antiquarian Society at Men-an-Tol on the Society’s Annual Excursion, 1909.
Photographer unknown: a family outing to Lanyon Quoit. Photograph on display in Penlee House, Penzance. With apologies for reflections in the glass.
Photograph displayed at Penlee House, showing Penwith Natural History and Antiquarian Society at Men Scrifa [sic] on the Society’s Annual Excursion, 1909. The inscription on the stone has been chalked to make it easier to read. Apologies for the reflections from the glass.
Ephemeral Midsummer offerings of flowers and a slice of peach left on the slab in front of the chamber. Carn Galva and Ding Dong engine house on the skyline.
Midsummer at the wonderful Bosiliack.
Midsummer Maidens from the south. I’ve waded through the gorse so you don’t have to.
Approaching from the south.
The very overgrown NW barrow, set apart from the others. The long ridge beyond is Devoran Common/Botrea, where there is a linear group of rare (for this area) platform or disc barrows, a couple of which can just be seen as low bumps on the skyline.
Midsummer, the surviving circle seen from the scant remains of the western circle.
Escalls Cliff cairn is on the clifftop, centre. Seen across the bay from Sennen Cove.
Five minutes later I was caught by probably the heaviest downpour I’ve ever been outside in.
The NW quadrant, generally the part of the circle I visit the least.
My conclusion is that June is not the best month to visit the barrow on Waden Hill, unless you like thistles.
Seen from the bridleway to the west.
Dense summer vegetation on the mound. Prepare to be stung!
The western end of the barrow. Difficult to see at this resolution, but West Kennett long barrow (far left) and Silbury (left of centre) can be seen in the distance.
Approaching from the south, the thick canopy and dense midsummer vegetation a bit of a shock after my previous midwinter visits.
The long barrow in the centre, seen from Harestone Down to the SSW.
From the track to the west.
