The plentiful lichen on the great trilithon gives it a surprisingly “furry” appearance.
Image credit: Jimit Dec 05
jimit
The Moon had risen some minutes earlier just to the left of the Heel Stone.
This is the northernmost rising of the Moon on its 18 and a bit year Metonic cycle.
The alignment, 41 degrees E of N, may be the original reason for the construction of Stonehenge 1.
Image credit: Jimit Dec 05
This is what people surely came to celebrate, the midwinter sunset, when the daylight hours started to become longer.
A little poetic licence here as the pic was taken on the 15th Dec 05, but the sun is as near as dammit to its solstice position.
Image credit: Jimit Dec 05
Can somebody Photoshop out the bloody railings?
Image credit: Jimit Nov 05
Kit’s Coty in its landscape, from the north.
Image credit: Jimit Nov 05
The stones take on a completely different hue in shadow.
Image credit: Jimit Nov 05
Decided to “do” the Medway sites on the spur of the moment and didn’t have a chance to consult this site so my impressions were uncoloured.
After Kit’s Coty and The circular stones of Addington and The Chestnuts (Don’t forget to book on 01732 840220) we happened upon Coldrum.
Wow! What a site. I don’t know if it was the weather, still and brilliant winter sun, the general neatness of the site, the position or the fantastic stones.
After negotiating the steepish path to the bottom with my 87yr old mother, I was more concerned with getting her over the stile and up the steps than looking around. My first impressions then were of the “cloutie” tree, then the recumbent stones, then the upright chamber with the lovely views of the North Downs and the valley beyond.
I was struck with the difference in colour when the stones were either sunlit or in shadow, a warm honey or a steely blue.
The fencing around the site was not the horrible railings that close off Kit’s Coty but seemed to say “Respect this place” so didn’t feel too guilty about hopping over to take pics.
When I got to the chamber I was astounded to find myself on top of a cliff with the obvious remains of the rest of the tomb lying below. Squeezing in, I wondered what it might be like on a March morning with the rising sunlight flooding it as Wayland has mentioned below. Explored the rest of the site including the informative ‘re-construction’ plaque. I have never come across a square LB before, is it unique?
The whole site was graffiti free although the fire pit noted by others is still a grass free area.
A magical site. I’d have loved to have spent much more time here, another day for sure.
P.S. Difficult not to post duplicate pics of the site but the stones change in character with the light and season.
P.P.S. Check out the marvellous pub in the village (See facilities) where the locals told me the name is pronounced ‘Trosley’ with a long ‘o’.
Access Small carpark then gentle track down, short steeper track up on grass.
For those with mobility problems, instead of taking the last steep track down, the top of the site can be accessed by walking around the edge of the open field.
The giant Cove Stone lit by the morning sun after Samhein.
Image credit: Jimit Nov05
Soon after Summer Solstice sunrise in the SE chamber.
Image credit: Jimit July 05
Soon after Summer Solstice sunrise from the SE chamber.
Image credit: Jimit July 05
Palaeolithic burial of twins?
The bodies of two new-born infants have been found in northern Austria at a site which dates them to between 27 to 40,000 years old. DNA testing might be possible and may confirm if they were twins.
The bodies had been wrapped in, probably, an animal hide, covered in ochre,decorated with ivory beads and protected by the shoulderblade of a woolly mammoth,propped up by pieces of tusk.
Fuller story here... newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8063
The barrow in its landscape. The first view approaching by road. Visible above the round bush in the centre.
Image credit: Jimit Aug 05
Grrr. This lovely stone, just inside on the right, defaced by mindless scrawl.
Image credit: Jimit Aug 05
The gentle corbelling of the roof, necessary because of the relatively small stones used.
Image credit: Jimit Aug 05
Not a great deal to see but prettily sited above the source of the River Itchen.
One of those rather ignored, but still quite rare, long barrows in Hampshire. This, as many, could be under threat by the plough but the farmer seems to be giving it a fairly wide berth.
Access Parking MAY be possible at the cottage to the SE. Up track to stile and footpath leads close to barrow.
The remains of the sarsens at the entrance
Image credit: Jimit Sept05
The church of St Michael was built on top of a large mound, probably in the 13C. The mound is obviously artificial as the site is on the flood plain of the River Itchen and close to its source. It looks like a classic round barrow to me although for obvious reasons the church and graveyard have obliterated any subtle details which could date it.
As is usual, photos can’t give an impression of the height but the top of the mound is nearly level with the eaves of the local cottages.
The “Wayfarers Walk” (Hants County Recreation) says that “...the medieval building has endured much restoration work due to continual structural failure”.
Revenge of the older Gods?
Hampshire Treasures suggest that the mound is “Celtic”, what ever that might mean.
Workers digging a new rubbish tip at Walpole nr Bridgewater have found the remains of an ancient causeway and fish weir. Archaeologist Richard Brunning has provisionally dated them to 4.500 BCE.
This angle shows the speculative wooden lintels.
Image credit: Jimit June 2005
Early Hominids were skilled stone tool makers.
A 2.34 million year old site in Kenya has shown that early human species were skilled stone knappers. They chose their rocks carefully and discarded those which, after a couple of trial strikes, were unsuitable.
Full story here... newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18624944.200
Sex in Germany in 5,200 BCE.
In an archaeological dig in Saxony, a male, clay figurine was found and called the “Adonis von Zschernitz” A month later, pieces of a corresponding female figure was found and re-constructed.
At first it was suggested that they were taking part in a ritualistic dance but the researchers have, un-prudishly, concluded that they were having sex “doggy fashion”.........
Full story here.... guardian.co.uk/germany/article/0,2763,1451509,00.html