Although the authorities have done quite a lot of repair work, there are still vast areas of impassible ruts. What a bloody mess! This is just by the entrance to Waylands Smithy.
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
Jane
Romancing the stones
From The Guardian, Wednesday June 16, 2004
Julian Cope may well be the only antiquarian researcher to have appeared on Top of the Pops while stoned on acid. He talks to John Vidal about why we venerate landscape, the politics of heritage, shamanism, and the prehistoric nature of football worship
Julian Cope, a middle-aged man wearing a baseball cap, is sitting under a great oak at Avebury, one of Britain’s finest megalithic sites, holding forth on what makes a place hallowed. There are, he says, tens of thousands of stone circles, dolmans, amphitheatres and monuments, but these are mere pointers. “The sacred landscape is everywhere,” he says. “Britain’s ancientness shocks me. It’s all there, just below the surface. You can peel it away like the skin of an onion.”
Whole article continues here...
This is so close to a little lane, you could look at this without even getting out of your car. But do so, because it is quite charming. Climb over the gate (it’s padlocked) and you’ll see that the stones are big, almost out of proportion thethe diameter of the circle. But it’s quite a complete. It has the same character as Little Meg to me.
After asking permission and having walked west through the trees towards the M6 you have to climb over either a seriously wobbly gate or cheat death by clambering over a wall which threatens to fall and kill you at any time. I like a gamble so I went for the wall of death. I survived. Only after entering the field did I realise that it was right in front of me on a slight rise! I got a real shock. Cos its really fab! Big old rocks, most of them down but best of all you get two for the price of one with added cairny bit in the middle! Concentric! How cool is that?
The M6 is very VERY close – about 12 metres away – but somehow, it didn’t matter because the stones spoke with a louder voice. This one had got away with it and survived! Wonderful!
Though I nearly didn’t as the wall attempted to wreak its evil revenge on me as we returned, hurling rocks at my legs as it partially collapsed as I climbed up. The survival instinct kicked in and I went over the gate instead. Be careful!
This shot taken from the Goggleby stone. They’re very close.
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
Two circles for the price of one at Gunnerkeld. Corking!
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
Just behind Moth, who’s standing on the tallest stone left up, you can see the line of the M6. It really IS that close.
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
Its a whopper. A great big fist of a stone, now standing in concrete shoes. You don’t really get a sense of its deep immensity until you’re right up close. Its footprint is dressed squarely but the looming bulk of it seems to rise like a blobby undressed mass as if the builders lost interest in cutting any more of it half way up.
Unlike nearby Kemp Howe, its not pink.
Lovely big pink stones, just like those at Gamelands have here, been cruelly bisected by the railway line. It’s quite shocking.
And you could see this place as megalithic roadkill, but I prefer to see it in a different way. As one of the those people who has a secret love of waving at trains (preferably from a beautiful trackside location, which this isn’t) Kemp Howe gets its own back on the railway line builders and waves at trains everyday. It may have been built over, but it certainly ain’t out.
Article from Neal Ascherson in The Observer, Sunday 13 June 2004, considering the dilemmas Stonehenge presents to developers.
Lose the roaring A roads and restore the empty grassland around Stonehenge? Sounds like a great plan – but objectors say it is missing the opportunity of the century
A week tomorrow is the summer solstice. The druids, the pilgrims and an assorted army of expectant people will gather at Stonehenge to greet the dawn. If it’s clear weather, they will hope to see the disc of the midsummer sun appear in the gap between two of the huge sarsen uprights, in line with the single monolith of the heel stone. Then they will sing and rejoice and inhale the flow of spiritual force. Continues here...
The big round stones are all down and today lie deep in the tall meadow peppered with buttercups and daisies. Look closely and you’ll see the stones are pink – bright, sparkly Barbara Cartland pink, shimmering and round like something sensual and erotic, ironically in a way that Barbara Cartland wasn’t. The stones are in proportion to the diameter of the circle somehow – people reading this who have seen a lot of circles will know exactly what I mean. It’s impressive but lacks the ‘oomph’ of Swinside and of Castlerigg. Visit it anyway. Just to see how pink it is.
The stones really are this small. And I’m only a size 6!
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
Counting the field boundaries to find our way, we looked over the gate at the top and there it was! Looking down the hill, the stones were almost too small to see but raised up on their little platform they became clear. Fourteen or perhaps even sixteen tiny weeny stones make up this most charming of circles at the side of a valley. The level platform is the perfect stage for the minuscule stones to dance endlessly around. I cannot state powerfully enough just how small the stones are and cannot express my amazement enough of how these frail and vulnerable stones have survived. The land here is unploughable and this maybe what has saved it. A man with a sharp spade could have all these stones up in a couple of hours.
A couple of the stones were badly cracked, one was quite loose. But the peace here... the peace! We picnicked, we sat, we lay down, we chilled out. Perfection. Come here.
For directions, see my miscellaneous post below.
How to find it From the A65 at Kirkby Lonsdale, drive north on the A683 for about half a mile. Turn left onto a single track road signposted High Casterton. Go straight over the next two crossroads onto equally narrow singletrack roads until you start to climb the escarpment. After two very sharp turns, you’ll see a track clearly marked ‘footpath’ at SD640793. Park here. Walk up the hill for 3/4 mile. Enter the fifth field up on your left, climb over the gate and look down diagonally towards the copse at the bottom. You’ll see the stone circle raised up on its own little platform. Et voila!
From BBCi, 3 June 2004
Conservationists have vowed to fight plans to extend quarrying near one of Britain’s most important archaeological areas.
Nosterfield sand and gravel quarry near Ripon is close to the Neolithic and Bronze Age site of Thornborough Henges.
John Lowry, chairman of the Friends of Thornborough Henges, believes there can be no compromise over its future.
But quarry owners Tarmac Northern says the site faces closure if the extension does not receive the go-ahead.
Tarmac Northern employs 15 full-time people and the proposal will guarantee the quarry’s future for another four years. Continues
From the Wiltshire GAzette and Herald, 31 May 04
Campaigners gathered at Silbury Hill, at Avebury, on Saturday, four years after the summit collapsed, to air their concerns over its future.
Heritage Action, a group dedicated to the care of threatened and neglected prehistoric sites, believe urgent action is needed to prevent further damage.
The group wants English Heritage, which manages the site, to take heed of its rallying cry fix the hill.
Avebury resident and campaigner Pete Glastonbury said: “Local people are now aware of the situation and many archaeologists are very concerned.
“The word is rapidly getting out to the wider public that nothing has been done and they’re disgusted with English Heritage’s inaction.”
Silbury Hill is the world’s largest man-made prehistoric mound.
It was built by our Neolithic ancestors 4,500 years ago and represents a work-effort that far outstrips Stonehenge or Avebury.
It is Britain’s equivalent of the Egyptian pyramids and pre-dates many of them.
On May 29, 2000 it suffered the first of a series of collapses of old excavation tunnels and a huge hole appeared at the top.
In 1974 it was fenced off in order to protect it from the erosion caused by thousands climbing it.
Earlier this month the site’s owner, Lord Avebury, told a public inquiry into the wording of the Countryside And Rights of Way Act draft legislation he was stunned the Countryside Agency wanted to label the hill as unimproved chalk grassland.
The move could lead to ramblers having free access to the hill, which opponents fear may cause damage.
From: thisiswiltshire.co.uk/wiltshire/marlborough/news/MARLB_NEWS_LOCAL2.html
27 May 2004 , from ‘This is Cornwall‘
Work to restore and repair one of West Penwith’s well-known prehistoric stone circles has neared completion, in a joint project between the county council’s Environment and Heritage Service, Defra and the Nine Maidens Commoners.
The Nine Maidens Stone Circle, on the northern fringe of Madron between Ding Dong and craggy Carn Galver, has undergone extensive works including scrub clearance, drainage improvements and footpath repair. As a final enhancement, the three long-fallen stones will be re-erected after a preliminary excavation to locate their original sockets.
When first recorded in the mid 18th century, there were 19 stones surviving of an original ring of 22.
Now, there are only 11 stones and of the surviving stones, six stand upright, two are leaning heavily and three have completely fallen.
Other prehistoric monuments surviving close to the stone circle include the stump of a standing stone and several Bronze Age barrows, as well as the famous Men an Tol.
Together they indicate that this area was an important focus in prehistoric times.
The erosion of the monument and surrounding area has been caused by visitors and trail bike users.
Paths leading into the circle had become eroded and muddy while thick gorse had grown over parts of the circle.
Ann Preston-Jones, an archaeologist from the county council’s Historic Environment Service, said: “This is a really exciting project. The Nine Maidens is a fine example of one of Cornwall’s famous stone circles, but at the moment it seems neglected and sad.
“The work will greatly improve the condition and accessibility of the site. Clearing away the gorse will make the site more visible, but restoring the fallen stones will make it look even more impressive.”
Richard Glasson, Defra’s project officer for the West Penwith Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) said: “We are pleased that the commoners have undertaken this work jointly funded by English Heritage and ourselves through an ESA conservation plan to enhance an important site for the future enjoyment of the public.”
A series of events celebrating the rich and varied archaeology of Strathearn and beyond is set to take place from May 29 until June 6.
Perthshire Archaeology Week has been organised by a consortium of local and national organisations, and receives funding from Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and the Perthshire Tourist Board.
A series of illustrated talks, guided walks and other events will take place alongside two excavations, for which volunteers are still required.
The first dig will be at Innerpeffray Library, near Crieff, and will be carried out by Roman expert David Woolliscroft as he attempts to find the route of the Gask Ridge Roman road as it crossed the River Earn near Strageath Roman fort.
The second dig, organised by Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and SUAT Ltd of Perth, will take place at the National Trust for Scotland’s Old Schoolhouse Cottown, near St Madoes.
For further information visit www.perthshire.co.uk/archaeologyweek or pick up at leaflet at any tourist information centre or library throughout Perthshire.
Hmmm, I wonder how much more has been found and not reported?
A day’s metal detecting has unearthed an unexpected treasure – a 4,000-year-old piece of gold.
The ornamental piece of gold is only the second piece to ever be found in the UK and the first to be discovered in Dorset.
It was found by Clive Gibbs and his metal detector in a ploughed field in Fontmell Magna in November 2002.
The precious metal has a gold content of 87 per cent and although it can’t be identified with total certainty, may have come from Ireland or France.
Claire Pinder, senior archaeologist at Dorset County Council, said: “One side of the strip is decorated with thin lines, the other side is quite plain.
“It’s meant to be decorative, maybe it would have been set into something like a wooden object or wrapped around clothing.
“It could also have been part of an earring or twisted into someone’s hair, we just don’t know.
“It probably belonged to someone wealthy or of high status. It looks flimsy but is very heavy because of its high gold content.”
The only other similar piece to be found in Britain was discovered in Oxford and sent to the British Museum in 1982.
The gold is the most significant find in Dorset recently but treasure seekers have enjoyed a run of success.
John Hinchcliffe, of Tarrant Hinton, was metal detecting on farm land at Charlton Marshall last December when he discovered a medieval silver finger ring, engraved with flowers and bearing a merchant’s mark.
And Julian Adams unearthed six Roman coins on land at Melcombe Horsey last October.
All three items were officially declared “treasure” by coroner Michael Johnston at an inquest this week and are awaiting valuation.
Published: May 21
From:
thisisdorset.net/dorset/north_dorset/news/NORTH_DORSET_NEWS_NEWS0.html
by Maev Kennedy of The Guardian, Monday 17 May 2004
An attempt will be made today to have a hill reclassified as a building to protect one of the most enigmatic prehistoric structures in Europe.
Ramblers may gain a theoretical entitlement to walk up the sides of Silbury Hill in Wiltshire if the largest manmade mound in Europe is classified as “open countryside” under the countryside and rights of way bill.
The highest profile objectors to the draft maps so far are celebrities including Madonna, anxious to protect their privacy.
The guardians of the 4,700-year-old hill have been trying to persuade people to keep off Silbury since 1974, when it was closed to the public, without destroying its appearance with intrusive fencing. The monument came close to destruction three years ago when torrential winter rain seeped into shafts left by earlier excavation, which collapsed. Although English Heritage has carried out repairs, the whole structure is vulnerable. Continues here...
And the same story here from ‘This is Bristol’ 17 May 2004
A bizarre row erupted last night over attempts to open up access to Europe’s biggest ancient monument under controversial right-to-roam laws. Locals say the Countryside Agency is “totally mad” for marking Silbury Hill as “unimproved chalk grassland” – because it was built entirely by prehistoric man. Continues here...
> And the same story here from BBCi, 17 May 2004
A peer has compared an ancient monument to the pyramids in a row over the government’s right to roam laws. Lord Avebury says he is “stunned” the Countryside Agency’s wants to label Silbury Hill in Wiltshire as “unimproved chalk grassland”.
Whole article here
By Stephen Stewart, May 10 2004
Archaeologists have re-discovered a lost chapter in Orkney’s history which will develop the understanding of mysterious ancient monuments found across Scotland.
Underwater researchers are examining small, artificial islands in Orkney’s inland waters, which have lain undiscovered for generations.
Crannogs were fortified places of refuge which are found throughout Scotland in lochs and other waters, but are a class of ancient monument not usually associated with Orkney. Bobby Forbes, an underwater archaeologist, is leading the project in a shallow loch which lies between Stromness and the Loch of Harray, in the vicinity of prehistoric remains at the Ring of Brodgar, Maes Howe and the Stones of Stenness.
He said: “We were doing some work in the Stenness Loch area and found two small islands with causeways, which were flooded by the sea. People have just not known about these man-made islands. The sites are not recorded in Orkney’s sites and monuments record.
“We are eager to find out how these sites fit in with the rest of Orkney’s archaeology. When they were created, agricultural land would have been at a premium.
“As people tried to avoid inhabiting agricultural land, they would have moved on to the loch and these very easily defended positions.”
Some crannogs elsewhere in Scotland and Ireland were large enough to house whole communities, and others were important royal or monastic centres.
A treasure hoard dating back to the late Bronze Age has been unearthed in Mickleham.
The ancient stash, which includes two axe heads and the end of a sword scabbard, was discovered at Norbury Park on December 9 2003, but only came to light at an inquest last week.
The find, which was made by metal detectionist, Martin Hay, from Horley, was uncovered on land belonging to Surrey County Council.
At the inquest opened by Surrey coroner Michael Burgess in Woking last Thursday, the court heard how the treasures were submitted to Surrey finds liaison officer, David Williams, who took them to the British Museum.
Mr Burgess explained: “This was a small hoard of three complete bronze objects.”
He went on to determine that the prehistoric artefacts of “agricultural origin” were found approximately 400 metres from the west bank of the River Mole.
More...
From ‘ThisisSlough.com‘
A 3,000-year-old hill-top settlement has been discovered during water mains digging.
Pottery and flint have been found alongside burnt bones and storage pits at a site near Taplow. The remains are thought to date back to 850 BC, and are from the late Bronze Age or early Iron Age.
A team of archaeologists are now trying to establish whether the settlement was permanent or temporary. More...
It’s signposted at the end of the track (on which lazy buggers like me can drive) but requires a short walk of 250 ms or so...
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
Some ARSE had a lit a fire in the chamber. Grrrrrrrrr!
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
Impossible to miss, but there are a coupla stiles to get over if you have mobility problems...
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
The great banks of the henge stand high and proud.
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
Frankly, I was stunned at the depth and state of preservation of the ditch.
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
We saw this exquisitely fashioned gold cup, found in Rillaton Barrow, in the British Museum.
I was surprised at how small it was.
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
No idea what is going on here and the light was too flat to see any real sculpting to make out a pattern or intention. In the same way that the short earthwork avenue heading out from Arbor Low looks incomplete or abandoned, so does this.
What a cool place. Even sitting on the banks of the henge at Arbor Low, surveying all the great monument’s glories, Gib Hill’s little head kept catching the corner of my eye. It has a very graceful shape, and proportionally (height/width/angle of slope) really does remind you of Silbury.
It still has some nice stones lying exposed on it too.
Not difficult to find thanks to a number of homemade wooden signs, you can see where you’re heading as this place is so high up. The remaining two uprights of the best preserved chamber peep up above the drystonewalls as you approach. But it’s not until you’re virtually on top of it that you realise just what a whopping great mound this must have been not so very long ago.
Someone had already been to the tomb when we got there, for a small fire had been lit at the back of the main chamber. The farmer had dumped some empty chemical canisters in there and Moth discovered a dirty nappy, recently dumped.
What a shame that such a special place should be so disrespected.
Moth pulls back the ivy to reveal a second standing stone in Lidstone
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
Leodwine’s stone is now built into the end of a field wall
Image credit: Jane Tomlinson
On the old footpath between Cleveley and Church Enstone to the east of Enstone village, I finally located this stone.
This is a big lump of a stone about 4 and half feet high and a fat diameter of about 2 feet, now nestling by the drystone wall overlooking a the river Glyme and a nearby waterfall.
It is reported to have been moved from its original location in recent years.