Andy Burnham's Blog, page 154

December 16, 2021

Upper Tote

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A Skye crofter who destroyed a Bronze Age cairn has been fined £18,000. More details in the comments on our page.. A grass-covered, circular mound of stone and earth some 36ft in diameter and 9ft in height, which is probably a burial cairn. The cairn was first excavated by archaeologists in 1920, revealing the remains of a stone cist at its base, as well as a later Viking burial chamber near the top. No bones were found in the rudimentary stone cist but a large number of flints as well as fragments of charcoal were discovered, with suggestions these could have mesolithic origins. Human remains - the end of a femur and fragments of charred bone - from a Viking cremation, interred thousands of years after the original cairn was built, were also revealed at Upper Tote.
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Published on December 16, 2021 10:32

December 14, 2021

Carn Lês Boel

A small and very exposed Iron Age promontory fort or "cliff castle" in a spectacular setting. There are the remains of a shallow ditch and bank on the north side of the promontory. Two large stones, one still standing, are presumably mark the entrance to the fort. There are no traces of settlement (hut circles, for example) within the defended area. This granite headland is also noted by ley line enthusiasts, as it lies at the western end of England's famous "St Michael Line" (that is, if you extend it westwards across West Penwith from St Michael's Mount).
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Published on December 14, 2021 03:16

December 13, 2021

Necrópole de Carrasqueira

Rock-cut tombs in the Algarve, dating from the time of the Visigoths. There are also cup marks to be found here.
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Published on December 13, 2021 11:28

December 12, 2021

Barnmoor Wood Camp

The remains of an Iron Age hillfort in Warwickshire with a strongly fortified entrance located at the west. It is located on the southern edge of a slight plateau. The defensive earthworks of the site enclose a raised central area of approximately 1ha. The defences include a ditch, an internal bank and traces of a counterscarp bank along the southern edge of the site. It is thought that the slope of the hillside made a counterscarp on the northern and eastern sides of the hillfort unnecessary.
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Published on December 12, 2021 14:13

December 11, 2021

Frejlev Skov Kong Grøns Høj

Langdysse (Long Barrow) in Maribo, a majestic megalith restored in 1942 and 2012. Size 20 x 10 metres, the chamber has 6 uprights and 3 capstones, and there are 30 kerbstones.
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Published on December 11, 2021 13:29

December 9, 2021

University College Cork - Stone Corridor

The county of Cork has a rich history and offers a fine and varied selection of megalithic sites for anyone willing to take the time to explore the fields, boglands and mountains of Ireland’s largest county. But if a casual visitor to the city of Cork on a visit of limited duration were looking for a quick megalithic taster, a stone fix in between meals, then they could take a short walk from the city centre along the Western Road to the gates of University College Cork.
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Published on December 09, 2021 15:38

Dolmen de Jonquayrolles

Although the capstone sized about 6m x 3m is partly broken, and there is no longer an end stone, this dolmen has kept its appearance. The stones that constitute it are made of gneiss. The surrounding tumulus has been destroyed by agriculture.
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Published on December 09, 2021 00:21

December 6, 2021

Foel Faner

A very large Iron Age hillfort on the summit of Foel Faner above Llyn Cynwch, Gwynedd with wonderful views. Follow the Precipice Walk keeping to the right of Llyn Cynwch reservoir and follow the path to the end of the reservoir. Take a right up towards a gate then an immediate right and follow the wall up towards Foel Faner. The hillfort is on your left.
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Published on December 06, 2021 04:06

December 5, 2021

St Seiriol's Well

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This is a beautiful well with a square pool. Outside are stone benches and walls enclose the area. To the left is a circle of stone said to be St Seriol's cell. who lived in the 6th century. The lower part of the well chamber and the nearby oval hut may go back to early Christian times, but the masonry above was rebuilt in the 18th century.
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Published on December 05, 2021 02:25

December 2, 2021

Sale of Classic Megalithic and Earth Mysteries books, most at bargain prices

Have a look at our list of classic Megalithic, Archaeology and Earth Mysteries books for sale, most at bargain prices. There is only one of each book so don't delay. Books are priced at 10% or less than the typical Amazon price for the same used book. We can ship worldwide so see this page for how to order.
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Published on December 02, 2021 10:46