Andy Burnham's Blog, page 16

Piran's Round

A later Iron Age circular enclosure, or possibly early post Roman period. A round consists of an embanked enclosure - the ancient equivalent of a farming hamlet. In more recent times it has seen use as a Plen-an-Gwarry or Playing Place, the Cornish Cycle of Mystery Plays being a regular feature. To the middle-right is a spoon-shaped depression called the Devil's Frying Pan. During the plays, the devil would rise out of this depression "Behind You!".

Out Now: Stone Lands by Fiona Robertson, Launch Events inc. 24th June, Avebury

Win a copy of Stone Lands and copies now available to buy from us here with worldwide shipping. Out now - the amazing new book Stone Lands by Fiona Robertson who was executive Editor on The Old Stones. I think it's fair to say our book wouldn't have happened without her drive, knowledge and enthusiasm and Fiona has come up with something extraordinary again here. To me Prof. Josh Pollard sums up Stone Lands best: ‘Written with great craft, sensitivity and authority, Fiona Robertson offers a wonderfully evocative, and at times deeply personal and poignant, account of the ancient sites and landscapes of Britain.'

Noatak Petroglyphs

A look at the petroglyphs found in the Noatak National Preserve - the first of their kind found in Alaska. Discovered whilst excavating the remains of three prehistoric lakefront dwellings. “The first one looks like a little stone that had some scratch marks on it,” said Shirar, research archaeologist at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. “We got really excited when we found the second one with the drilled hole and the more complicated etchings on it. That’s when we realized we had something unique.” More details on our page.

Iscrallotze Tomba di Giganti

Chambered Tomb in Sardinia (Sardegna). Tomba di giganti Iscrallotze is a Nuragic megalithic tomb located few metres south of the local road from Borore to Sedilo. The main body of the tomb is 13.20m long, overall length is over 20 m. Much of the exedra survived, the funerary chamber is also preserved with few covering slabs still in place.

Thetford Castle

An Iron Age Hillfort in Norfolk surmounted by a Norman Motte & Bailey earthen castle.

Burrup Peninsula

Australia’s environment minister has ‘personally lobbied’ Unesco over barring of WA rock art from world heritage list, claiming a report on the Murujuga petroglyphs has been ‘clearly influenced’ by environment campaigners. (listing is currently blocked due to the threat from nearby industrial facilities). An area of Aboriginal Rock art under threat from development. The Burrup Peninsula is home to the world's biggest collection of Aboriginal rock art and gained national heritage listing in 2007. The estimated two million carvings on the Burrup Peninsula and in the Dampier Archipelago are considered of global value.

Stone Head of Salaspils replica

Looking like a grumpy dolmen, this replica of the original Stone Head of Salaspils is set in a corner of Livu Laukums (Livu Square), Riga. Being surrounded by trees, it is, alas, always in their shade. The original stone head is on display in the cloister of Dom cathedral.

Volkmarskeller

The Volkmarskeller (Volkmar's Cellar) is said to be a natural karst cave. It was probably used in prehistoric times, as evidenced by finds made in the surrounding area. The first documented mention of the cave dates back to 956CE. In this document, Otto I donated a chapel dedicated to Saint Michael above the cave to the Quedlinburg Abbey, near Blankenburg. According to legend, a hermit is said to have lived in this cave in the 9th century, and there were probably other such inhabitants up until the 12th century. For example, the cave's namesake, "Volkmar," is said to have lived there around 950. His disciples then joined the Cistercians, and the cave was used as a cave church.

Blakey Howe (Farndale Moor)

A bronze age round barrow with an 18th century boundary stone on top, this may be a reused prehistoric standing stone. There is also a 1.5m deep, 6m wide depression in the top caused by excavation that is said to have been later used for cockfighting, hence its alternative name of Cockpit Howe. The letters TD are engraved on the boundary stone, standing for Thomas Duncombe, 18th century Lord of the Manor of Helmsley and owner of the Duncombe Estate.

Opferstein Muckwar

A legendary erratic boulder with furrows and depressions - possibly some are human made. "Opferstein" means sacrificial stone. The stone is situated in the forest 1km south of Muckwar, Brandenburg on a hiking trail.