Andy Burnham's Blog, page 90

Boscawen-Ros East

This stone is getting its moment of fame as it stars in Christopher Morris' feature film "A Year in a Field", more in the comments on our page. A 2.6m square-sectioned stone in a field west of Boscawen Ros, about half a mile from the Merry Maidens stone circle. One of a pair, it's smaller partner was knocked down early in 20th century, or is perhaps the Boscawen-Ros West stone, now standing in the hedge to the west (see nearby sites list lower down).

Lopaičiai Dolmen

Lopaičiai dolmen consists of two upright stones supporting a massive capstone, which forms a chamber or tomb. The capstone is estimated to weigh around 20 tons, making it one of the largest in Lithuania. It is believed to date back to the Neolithic period, around 4,000-2,000 BCE.

Menhir du Gué Blandin

A menhir in a fabulous setting nestled near the bottom of a valley on a steep slope, it stands like a beacon at 3mtrs tall and of a light coloured granite that shone in the autumn sunshine. In addition your eyes cannot help but to be drawn to the stones approximately 5m in front of the menhir. They appear to be the remains of a possible dolman and are quite stunning in their own right.

Gavrinis Cairn

A spectacular set of photographs by Didier Truffaut of the carved slabs inside Gavrinis . The Gavrinis Cairn on an Island in the Golfe du Morbihan is one of the best preserved sites in Brittany. It has marvellous carved slabs and recesses (pictured) in the passage and chamber.

Västergötlands museum

Västergötland Museum was founded in 1919 by the Västergötland Antiquities Association to house their collections. A highlight is the ~3,000-year-old bronze shields from Fröslunda, which were thrown into a bog as an offering, and other objects from this period.

Four Stones (Powys)

The Neolithic Monuments of the Walton Basin, a talk with archaeologist Jack Rowe, Evenjobb Village Hall, Weds 27th September, details in the comments on our page. This site is a nice example of a ‘four poster’, sites commonly found in Scotland. The four stones stand in a small ring and have been misinterpreted as being the remains of a burial chamber. One of the blocks to the south-west has three possible cupmarks on it. There is Judicious parking for one vehicle near a gate to the north of the stones.

Gösslundastenen (1)

Runestone in Västergötland. Year found: 1913. Dating: 725 - 1100 A.D. Transliteration: uifir · risþi · stin · þai · iftiʀ · uisiti · buta. English Translation: Véfríðr raised this stone in memory of Véseti, her husband.

Tod Howe

The site of what was probably a Bronze Age round barrow is surmounted by a boundary stone. However whether the rise in the ground at the edge of a sandstone quarry on which it stands is the remains of the barrow or just quarry spoil is undetermined and the barrow itself may no longer be extant, destroyed by quarrying. It is one of a line of barrows that run roughly alongside the ancient trod known as the Quakers Causeway and then follow the modern road towards Castleton.

Tobairandonaich

A rare postcard from 1922 of a cup marked stone now lost to history, and another close by, also lost. Would anyone in Perthshire like to have a look for them? . Missing Rock Art and Holy Well in Perthshire. As recorded in 1922: A cup marked stone with 19 cups was found forming the doorstep of an old stable at Easter Tobairandonaich.

Østergård Lundhøj Jættestue

Passage grave with rock art. The site was first excavated in 1837 where the carvings were recorded but it was not until 1993 that they were properly and recognized in connection with the restoration. Rock carvings very rare in Danish passage graves, they are today difficult to see.