Posts Tagged 'neolithic'
bluestones: preseli – stonehenge
a team of scientists and researcher from ucl, university of manchester, bournemouth university, university of southampton, university of leicester, amgueddfa cymru – national museum wales, and dyfed archaeological trust. have excavatied two quarries in wales by a thought to be the
bluestones: preseli – stonehenge
a team of scientists and researcher from ucl, university of manchester, bournemouth university, university of southampton, university of leicester, amgueddfa cymru – national museum wales, and dyfed archaeological trust. have excavatied two quarries in wales by a thought to be the
tinkins wood chambered tomb.
tinkins wood chambered tomb. neolithic chambered tombs are found throughout europe and are amongst the oldest surviving man- made structures and built as the communal burial places. they are transitional monuments marking the transformation of a culture based on hunting and gathering to one based on domesticates and early farming. tombs of this date are known across wales, although this type are concentrated in the south-east of the county, on the lower slopes of the black mountains and the slopes overlooking the valleys of the wye and usk, but also in the cotswolds and the severn estuary. tinkins wood tomb has a cross linear structure dividing the monument into compartments. it is thought to derive from its evolution from similar divisions found in timbered long houses. indeed recent excavations at dorstone hill in the golden valley have unearthed such a longhouse beneath a later chambered tomb of this type.
tinkins wood chambered tomb.
tinkins wood chambered tomb. neolithic chambered tombs are found throughout europe and are amongst the oldest surviving man- made structures and built as the communal burial places. they are transitional monuments marking the transformation of a culture based on hunting and gathering to one based on domesticates and early farming. tombs of this date are known across wales, although this type are concentrated in the south-east of the county, on the lower slopes of the black mountains and the slopes overlooking the valleys of the wye and usk, but also in the cotswolds and the severn estuary. tinkins wood tomb has a cross linear structure dividing the monument into compartments. it is thought to derive from its evolution from similar divisions found in timbered long houses. indeed recent excavations at dorstone hill in the golden valley have unearthed such a longhouse beneath a later chambered tomb of this type.
the whispering knights.
the whispering knights. they form part of the rollright stones complex that spans across the neolithic and bronze age. constructed from local oolitic limestone, the three monuments now known respectively as the king’s men, the king stone and the whispering knights,
the whispering knights.
the whispering knights. they form part of the rollright stones complex that spans across the neolithic and bronze age. constructed from local oolitic limestone, the three monuments now known respectively as the king’s men, the king stone and the whispering knights,
zennor quoit. neolithic chambered tomb.
zennor quoit. neolithic chambered tomb. w borlase the antiquarian drew a plan of the site in the mid-c18 when the capstone was roughly horizontal and the chamber was set into a low stony mound approx 12.8m in diameter. by the time his great-great grandson visited the site in the middle of the c19, the capstone had slipped and the western upright supporting it had snapped.
the site today comprises two chambers set into a low stony mound. the main chamber is trapezoidal with its long axis running off NNE by 75 degrees. the western end is 0.83m wide, reducing to 1.9m. the total length being 3.16m. the capstone now tilted and following the line of the supporting stones is 5.33m by 2.9m and weighs about 9.45 tonnes. it has an antechamber at the eastern end formed by two impressive portal stones.
quoits are among the oldest megalithic architecture on the west penwith peninsula and would have represented a local variation of a tradition which had travelled from the levant up the west coast of spain to brittany, to arrive in cornwall in the late neolithic, around 3300 bce on route to wales, anglesea and ireland
zennor quoit. neolithic chambered tomb.
zennor quoit. neolithic chambered tomb. w borlase the antiquarian drew a plan of the site in the mid-c18 when the capstone was roughly horizontal and the chamber was set into a low stony mound approx 12.8m in diameter. by the time his great-great grandson visited the site in the middle of the c19, the capstone had slipped and the western upright supporting it had snapped.
the site today comprises two chambers set into a low stony mound. the main chamber is trapezoidal with its long axis running off NNE by 75 degrees. the western end is 0.83m wide, reducing to 1.9m. the total length being 3.16m. the capstone now tilted and following the line of the supporting stones is 5.33m by 2.9m and weighs about 9.45 tonnes. it has an antechamber at the eastern end formed by two impressive portal stones.
quoits are among the oldest megalithic architecture on the west penwith peninsula and would have represented a local variation of a tradition which had travelled from the levant up the west coast of spain to brittany, to arrive in cornwall in the late neolithic, around 3300 bce on route to wales, anglesea and ireland
neolithic long carn or barrow. chaple carn brea west penwith.
neolithic long carn or barrow. chaple carn brea west penwith. the last high point before the western sea board and the site of much prehistory – heavily populated by a range of neolithic and bronze age long and round barrows entrance graves and carns. it is an important ceremonial site in view of the atlantic with many of its sites unexcavated. comprises an elongated stony mound, oriented NNW to SSE, situated on a crest above a slight southern slope. It is 26m long and varies between 5.0m and 6.0m wide. within this width comprises a flattened mound of small tightly packed stones, which at the northern end broadens to 3.2m. seven earthfast stones occur at irregular intervals by the edge of the flat mound and again towards the perimeter of the mound. these average between 0.1m to 0.3m but one of two leaning stones is 0.9m high. there are at least seventeen displaced blocks or slabs averaging 1.0m long and 0.7m wide on the mound and around its perimeter, but with no obvious sockets to confirm that they are part of a displaced kerb. one of the most interesting features is the way it incorporates a large 15m horizontal outcrop. initially level with the stone mound, this now rises 1.7m above it and at the southern end is 3.0m above the present ground level. along its axis small stones have been packed against and into its crevices. probably important before the carn was built, these outcrops have had their meaning and myths transferred to the barrow to enhance its status and presence in this ceremonial landscape
neolithic long carn or barrow. chaple carn brea west penwith.
neolithic long carn or barrow. chaple carn brea west penwith. the last high point before the western sea board and the site of much prehistory – heavily populated by a range of neolithic and bronze age long and round barrows entrance graves and carns. it is an important ceremonial site in view of the atlantic with many of its sites unexcavated. comprises an elongated stony mound, oriented NNW to SSE, situated on a crest above a slight southern slope. It is 26m long and varies between 5.0m and 6.0m wide. within this width comprises a flattened mound of small tightly packed stones, which at the northern end broadens to 3.2m. seven earthfast stones occur at irregular intervals by the edge of the flat mound and again towards the perimeter of the mound. these average between 0.1m to 0.3m but one of two leaning stones is 0.9m high. there are at least seventeen displaced blocks or slabs averaging 1.0m long and 0.7m wide on the mound and around its perimeter, but with no obvious sockets to confirm that they are part of a displaced kerb. one of the most interesting features is the way it incorporates a large 15m horizontal outcrop. initially level with the stone mound, this now rises 1.7m above it and at the southern end is 3.0m above the present ground level. along its axis small stones have been packed against and into its crevices. probably important before the carn was built, these outcrops have had their meaning and myths transferred to the barrow to enhance its status and presence in this ceremonial landscape
tregiffian entrance tomb.
tregiffian entrance tomb. considered part of the scillonian group of ‘entrance graves’ and is one if the earliest of its type in cornwall. It is within 90m of the merry maidens stone circle. It has been suggested along with bants carn as not being primarily sepulchral but rather repositories or chambers connected with land fertility rituals. (ashbee). topographically its position out on the l00m coastal platform of penwith contrasts with that of most other Entrance tombs which lie close to the 125m contour at the junction between the coastal platform and the high moorlands of west oenwith. significantly, the original 17m diameter circular turf mound retained by a megalithic kerb finds close comparison in irish late neolithic passage tombs. while the packing stones inside the kerb are reminiscent of ruined passage tombs at carrowmore. rhe decoration of the jamb stone on the east side of the entrance to the tomb with oval and circular cup marks is paralleled in megalithic tombs in western and northern europe, so one might understand this as a local interpretation of evolving tradition across europe . the barrow and kerb at tregiffian were reconfigured to roughly polygonal form, probably during the early bronze age when two cremation burials in collared food urns were placed in pits within the chamber. the oval cup marks on the entrance blocking stone are unique in cornwall
tregiffian entrance tomb.
tregiffian entrance tomb. considered part of the scillonian group of ‘entrance graves’ and is one if the earliest of its type in cornwall. It is within 90m of the merry maidens stone circle. It has been suggested along with bants carn as not being primarily sepulchral but rather repositories or chambers connected with land fertility rituals. (ashbee). topographically its position out on the l00m coastal platform of penwith contrasts with that of most other Entrance tombs which lie close to the 125m contour at the junction between the coastal platform and the high moorlands of west oenwith. significantly, the original 17m diameter circular turf mound retained by a megalithic kerb finds close comparison in irish late neolithic passage tombs. while the packing stones inside the kerb are reminiscent of ruined passage tombs at carrowmore. rhe decoration of the jamb stone on the east side of the entrance to the tomb with oval and circular cup marks is paralleled in megalithic tombs in western and northern europe, so one might understand this as a local interpretation of evolving tradition across europe . the barrow and kerb at tregiffian were reconfigured to roughly polygonal form, probably during the early bronze age when two cremation burials in collared food urns were placed in pits within the chamber. the oval cup marks on the entrance blocking stone are unique in cornwall
gun ruth standing stone.
gun ruth standing stone. due west of the merry maidens stone circle and inter-visible with it, lies this 3.1m high impressive menhir. also know as the fiddler it is part of the myth surrounding the merry maidens, of men and maidens frozen and turned to stone for dancing on the sabbeth. the merry maidens are also known as the dancing stones. both it and the pipers standing stones are described as outliers to the stone circle and are part of a wider ceremonial complex that dates to the late neolithic or early bronze age
gun ruth standing stone.
gun ruth standing stone. due west of the merry maidens stone circle and inter-visible with it, lies this 3.1m high impressive menhir. also know as the fiddler it is part of the myth surrounding the merry maidens, of men and maidens frozen and turned to stone for dancing on the sabbeth. the merry maidens are also known as the dancing stones. both it and the pipers standing stones are described as outliers to the stone circle and are part of a wider ceremonial complex that dates to the late neolithic or early bronze age
the pipers of boleigh standing stones.
the pipers of boleigh standing stones. a pair of outliers to the merry maidens stone circle on a north east south west orientation and pointing directly towards the stone circle. these impressive stones are among the tallest in west penwith being 4.1 and 4.7m in height, the shorter of the two being furthest from the circle and leaning heavily to the northwest. their name derives from a myth that describes them as frozen pipers so formed for their part in revelries at the merry maidens on the sabbeth. another that they mark the spot where aethelstan and howeth fought in the 10th century and represent the two leaders. howeth was the leader of the cornish celts
the pipers of boleigh standing stones.
the pipers of boleigh standing stones. a pair of outliers to the merry maidens stone circle on a north east south west orientation and pointing directly towards the stone circle. these impressive stones are among the tallest in west penwith being 4.1 and 4.7m in height, the shorter of the two being furthest from the circle and leaning heavily to the northwest. their name derives from a myth that describes them as frozen pipers so formed for their part in revelries at the merry maidens on the sabbeth. another that they mark the spot where aethelstan and howeth fought in the 10th century and represent the two leaders. howeth was the leader of the cornish celts
mên scryfa.
mên scryfa or ‘Inscribed stone’ is situated on level ground near to mên-an-tol stone circle SW426349. it could mark the burial site of a prominent romano-celtic chieftain. the inscription reads ‘rialobran cunovali fili’ – or ‘here lies Rialvran (royal raven) son of cunoval’….although the words at the base of the stone now lie below ground level. it appears to be in an alignment to a groove in carn galver an important neolithic site a kilometre further north. it is thought that the inscription may have been made on a far older neolithic menhir an_tol
mên scryfa.
mên scryfa or ‘Inscribed stone’ is situated on level ground near to mên-an-tol stone circle SW426349. it could mark the burial site of a prominent romano-celtic chieftain. the inscription reads ‘rialobran cunovali fili’ – or ‘here lies Rialvran (royal raven) son of cunoval’….although the words at the base of the stone now lie below ground level. it appears to be in an alignment to a groove in carn galver an important neolithic site a kilometre further north. it is thought that the inscription may have been made on a far older neolithic menhir an_tol
pentre ifan cromlech.
pentre ifan cromlech. this extraordinary floating stone monument has two explanation for its construction and use – one the more traditional is that it is a neolithic communal burial chamber with the 16 tonne capstone forming its lid and that it would have been the business end of a long barrow with a court at its front facing in this case south , these is evidence of this mound with some of its cur stone still present in a deteriorated form at the site. another more radical explanation is what we see now is closer to its original form and that indeed the stone was intended to be seen to float. that it was a expression of the builder’s prowess and skill. the capstone as is the case here has a flat under as a result of it being split from and even larger erratic and this was important – other similar monuments have their underside fearfully pecked away to achieve the same result. It was raised to this position gradually using stones props and levers and the three main supports then placed into position. other large were then added. these floating stones were. it is suggested a highly augmented version of the standing stone monuments and were announcing the presence of a tribal territory or a special or sacred place. what we do know is that it was in use over a extended period of time and may well have been used in different ways and meaning different things over the course of its existence. so both propositions might be true
pentre ifan cromlech.
pentre ifan cromlech. this extraordinary floating stone monument has two explanation for its construction and use – one the more traditional is that it is a neolithic communal burial chamber with the 16 tonne capstone forming its lid and that it would have been the business end of a long barrow with a court at its front facing in this case south , these is evidence of this mound with some of its cur stone still present in a deteriorated form at the site. another more radical explanation is what we see now is closer to its original form and that indeed the stone was intended to be seen to float. that it was a expression of the builder’s prowess and skill. the capstone as is the case here has a flat under as a result of it being split from and even larger erratic and this was important – other similar monuments have their underside fearfully pecked away to achieve the same result. It was raised to this position gradually using stones props and levers and the three main supports then placed into position. other large were then added. these floating stones were. it is suggested a highly augmented version of the standing stone monuments and were announcing the presence of a tribal territory or a special or sacred place. what we do know is that it was in use over a extended period of time and may well have been used in different ways and meaning different things over the course of its existence. so both propositions might be true
mulfra_quoit. neolithic chambered tomb
mulfra_quoit. neolithic chambered tomb. located near the summit of mulfra hill. it can be seen from a distance and would easily be picked out across the valleys from the other adjacent hills also holding places of ceremony and seasonal occupation during the neolithic period. The hill at trewey common can seen on the horizon
mulfra_quoit. neolithic chambered tomb
mulfra_quoit. neolithic chambered tomb. located near the summit of mulfra hill. it can be seen from a distance and would easily be picked out across the valleys from the other adjacent hills also holding places of ceremony and seasonal occupation during the neolithic period. The hill at trewey common can seen on the horizon
mulfra quoit. neolithic chambered tomb.
mulfra quoit. neolithic chambered tomb. standing just south west of the summit of mulfra hill this has thee remaining uprights and a dislodged capstone. a depression on the underside of this stone suggests it might have located the capstone on
mulfra quoit. neolithic chambered tomb.
mulfra quoit. neolithic chambered tomb. standing just south west of the summit of mulfra hill this has thee remaining uprights and a dislodged capstone. a depression on the underside of this stone suggests it might have located the capstone on
castlerigg stone circle. cumbria.
castlerigg stone circle. cumbria. 10 stones make up the cove that attaches itself to the eastern edge of the circle. it measures 7.5m by 3.5m and probably was associated with burial ceremonies. there are two barrows now flattered within the
castlerigg stone circle. cumbria.
castlerigg stone circle. cumbria. 10 stones make up the cove that attaches itself to the eastern edge of the circle. it measures 7.5m by 3.5m and probably was associated with burial ceremonies. there are two barrows now flattered within the
arthur’s stone. neolithic chambered tomb
arthur’s_stone, herefordshire is a neolithic chambered tomb, or dolmen, 3,700 to 2,700 BCE is situated on the ridge line of a hill overlooking both the golden valley and the wye valley, its tomb is topped by a large capstone, weighing
arthur’s stone. neolithic chambered tomb
arthur’s_stone, herefordshire is a neolithic chambered tomb, or dolmen, 3,700 to 2,700 BCE is situated on the ridge line of a hill overlooking both the golden valley and the wye valley, its tomb is topped by a large capstone, weighing
din lligwy dolmen. neolithic burial chamber anglesey.
din_lligwy_dolmen. burial chamber anglesey. this neolithic burial camber take the form of a eight-stone circle capped by an enormous 25 tonne squared cover stone. the cap stone sits over a similar sized pit within the circle as if it were lifted out of the ground to float above and to form the chamber. The stone is extraordinary in its own right and its edges look as if worked by hand. but much of its surface is pitted with deep basins that hold rain water which may have been why it was chosen to cap this tomb. the chamber contained some 30 burials when excavated in the early twentieth century complete with neolithic pottery and artefacts. the finds also included those dated to the bronze age indicating it was in use for over a thousand years
din lligwy dolmen. neolithic burial chamber anglesey.
din_lligwy_dolmen. burial chamber anglesey. this neolithic burial camber take the form of a eight-stone circle capped by an enormous 25 tonne squared cover stone. the cap stone sits over a similar sized pit within the circle as if it were lifted out of the ground to float above and to form the chamber. The stone is extraordinary in its own right and its edges look as if worked by hand. but much of its surface is pitted with deep basins that hold rain water which may have been why it was chosen to cap this tomb. the chamber contained some 30 burials when excavated in the early twentieth century complete with neolithic pottery and artefacts. the finds also included those dated to the bronze age indicating it was in use for over a thousand years
carn brea holed_stone.
holed_stone. carn brea. these large holed stones have associated with ceremonial sites across europe where many have used to form threshold entrances to tombs and entrance graves. the closest one to this fine specimen is known as the men_an_tol and is now thought to be part of a stone circle although it has been found to be associated with a stone mound with might have been the remains of a cairn. the hole are naturally formed by a combination of acidic rain water and wind agitation. carn brea is the site of a neolithic tor enclosure and a later iron age roundhouse settlement. many hundreds of Flint arrow head have been found leading to speculation that it was a site of a major battle although a much more straightforward explanation might be that these sites were involved as centres of trade, seasonal gathering and feasting.
#stones #archaeology #neolithic #natural_stone_feature #ceremonial #sacredplaces #holed_stone #iron_age #artefact #arrow_heads #monochrome
carn brea holed_stone.
holed_stone. carn brea. these large holed stones have associated with ceremonial sites across europe where many have used to form threshold entrances to tombs and entrance graves. the closest one to this fine specimen is known as the men_an_tol and is now thought to be part of a stone circle although it has been found to be associated with a stone mound with might have been the remains of a cairn. the hole are naturally formed by a combination of acidic rain water and wind agitation. carn brea is the site of a neolithic tor enclosure and a later iron age roundhouse settlement. many hundreds of Flint arrow head have been found leading to speculation that it was a site of a major battle although a much more straightforward explanation might be that these sites were involved as centres of trade, seasonal gathering and feasting.
#stones #archaeology #neolithic #natural_stone_feature #ceremonial #sacredplaces #holed_stone #iron_age #artefact #arrow_heads #monochrome
cerrig-y-gof (cerrig atof) five chambered tombs.
cerrig-y-gof (cerrig atof) five chambered tombs. closely associated to scottish and irish tombs. this circular formation has its five chambers facing outward and arranged such that they have a direct relationship with prominent landscape features. an 18th century excavation records burnt bones, urns and black sea pebbles. an outlying stone seen here between the chambers and the promontory is cup marked. #capstones #propped_stone #chambered_tomb #archaeology #ancient_architecture #landscape #neolithic #cup_ marks #rock_art #bnw #cromlech #pembrokeshire
cerrig-y-gof (cerrig atof) five chambered tombs.
cerrig-y-gof (cerrig atof) five chambered tombs. closely associated to scottish and irish tombs. this circular formation has its five chambers facing outward and arranged such that they have a direct relationship with prominent landscape features. an 18th century excavation records burnt bones, urns and black sea pebbles. an outlying stone seen here between the chambers and the promontory is cup marked. #capstones #propped_stone #chambered_tomb #archaeology #ancient_architecture #landscape #neolithic #cup_ marks #rock_art #bnw #cromlech #pembrokeshire
montage.city: constructive montage and the image of the city
montage.city : constructive montage and the image of the city constructive montage my phd by project attempts to place an interdisciplinary practice that involves art, architecture and photography into a philosophical frame, but one firmly rooted in praxis; and [pre]historically
montage.city: constructive montage and the image of the city
montage.city : constructive montage and the image of the city constructive montage my phd by project attempts to place an interdisciplinary practice that involves art, architecture and photography into a philosophical frame, but one firmly rooted in praxis; and [pre]historically
west penwith: axe production and distribution as a guide to prehistoric connectivity
the distribution of lithic material and its suggested disposition of axe factories at this point creates a fascinatingly complex and gradually unfolding picture of prehistoric interaction. a series of stages of activity is suggested — stage 1 is difficult to
west penwith: axe production and distribution as a guide to prehistoric connectivity
the distribution of lithic material and its suggested disposition of axe factories at this point creates a fascinatingly complex and gradually unfolding picture of prehistoric interaction. a series of stages of activity is suggested — stage 1 is difficult to
tor enclosures
at roughtor a well preserved stone-built tor enclosure incorporates the natural outcrops of roughtor and little roughtor. its stony banks are shown as solid black lines in this plan to the right. it was surveyed on the ground by english
tor enclosures
at roughtor a well preserved stone-built tor enclosure incorporates the natural outcrops of roughtor and little roughtor. its stony banks are shown as solid black lines in this plan to the right. it was surveyed on the ground by english
house burning
ritual focuses attention by framing; it enlivens the memory and links the present with the relevant past. in all this it aids perception. (douglas 1966: 65) timber constructions in scotland including cursus monuments, mortuary enclosures, timber halls, cremation pyres and other forms
house burning
ritual focuses attention by framing; it enlivens the memory and links the present with the relevant past. in all this it aids perception. (douglas 1966: 65) timber constructions in scotland including cursus monuments, mortuary enclosures, timber halls, cremation pyres and other forms