|
The Modern Antiquarian Forum » The Fylingdales Stone » Fire reveals moor's stone legacy |
Log In to post a reply
|
|
|
|
| Topic View: Flat | Threaded | |
FourWinds 10943 posts |
Dec 22, 2004, 07:43
|
||
|
"Sure it's a beautiful stone but once it's removed you lose is the dramatic landscape setting, the views over the sea and the moorland, the relationship between this cairn and the other nearby burial monuments, the trackways and rivers, the very things that may have inspired the artist. Things which could hopefully instill something deeper in <b>anyone who sees this stone</b> and possibly give them some insight into why the stone is where it is rather than just view it as a lovely artifact." I quite agree with what you say, but who's going to see it? Also, just to through a spanner at everything ... Ireland has the greatest tradition of carvings on cairns. Quite a few bits were reused from other sites, as were many in France. How does anyone know that this was carved to be a part of the tomb? It could have stood elsewhere before the kerb was constructed. There is only way to know that a stone was made to be where it is: if the stone is set into the natural and the carvings stop at the natural ground line or the carvings stop because a neighbouring stone is in the way - i.e. the stone was positioned and then carved. It's like saying all gravegoods were made not to be seen. We simply do not know. And what of the one bloke Timeteam dug up who had a Latin inscription from a temple forming part of his stone-lined east-west grave? The carving faced inwards. Was that made with the intention that it was never seen? No. Being part of a tomb does not necessarily mean that it was originally meant to be part of a tomb.
|
|||
|
Rhiannon 5291 posts |
Dec 22, 2004, 09:17
|
||
|
I suppose the fact it's been under the peat for a while is the thing that's been protecting it from the elements, so presumably to pop it back under there isn't going to increase the rate of any damage. Or at least that's what you'd hope, wouldn't you, that this is the conclusion after it's been extensively discussed and argued over by informed intelligent people. Oh I don't know. It's hard to separate your personal feelings from this. Aren't there hundreds of examples of rock art out on those moors? It's only hard-core rock art fans that tramp miles to find this art and sometimes keep it peat-free.. they'll make a big effort to see it. If other people want to take a quick look in a museum and if the measurements have been taken meticulously with a lazer, the carvings can be recreated elsewhere, so why bother moving the original stone? If left to their own devices out there the peat will naturally develop over and around stones. I'm not sure why this particular piece couldn't be left to go the same way, especially if it's in a remote location. If we worry about people going to the lengths to nick it, then we have to lie awake worrying about every bit of rock art out there - or move it all into a museum. Either the location is being kept secret(ish) in which case surely it's safe to be exposed. Or otherwise if people do know where it is, they can find it even if they have to scrabble about for it, and it's nickable (if you're a miserable bastard). I'm naive about how often stuff gets stolen. There seems to be a lot of rock art recorded on TMA but I suppose much of it is stuck to huge immovable lumps of rock. I've not seen that much rock art - the spirals at little meg and the footprints from the Pool Farm cist spring to mind. The first were in situ (ok, so maybe not in their exact original position, but in the general vicinity) and the footprints have been moved to Bristol City art gallery and museum. I stuck my paws on both. It's a purely personal thing but when it comes to the 'stick your paws on them' connection, I'd rather see the things outside where they belong every time. It was (yes, sadly) thrilling to see the footprints for the first time, but compared to how I'd have felt if I'd seen them where they were originally put... perhaps How Rhiannon Feels isn't the point. It all reminds me of the conservation of some rare animal: do we stick it in a zoo? Do we let it get on with it? Do we risk some nutter tracking it down and shooting it?
|
|||
|
smallblueplanet 472 posts |
Dec 22, 2004, 09:18
|
||
|
So as its "in its original site" will that site be marked for all to go and enjoy the landscape setting? (Rather than having to see it in the local museum?) Or will it just be the few in the know who can go and appreciate where it is, yourself included?
|
|||
|
smallblueplanet 472 posts |
Dec 22, 2004, 09:21
|
||
|
The decision-making process......humm here's a couple of emails from Britarch "Nick Boldrini wrote: "For "Where should it go" by Mr Redfern, perhaps substitute who's going to pay for it?" Wouldn't the obvious answer be English Heritage? They found this nationally important relic. Is this proposal for reburial setting the tone for future decisions about the conservation of archaeological artefacts discovered in England? <b>Are archaeological contractors to be given the option of reburial where the cost of conservation for display hasn't been covered for in their quote to their client?</b> Paul -----Original Message----- From: Nick Boldrini [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 22 December 2004 08:36 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: North Yorks. decorated stone discovered I am not sure what political correctness has to do with this, other than the fact that it seems to have become a catch all term to describe decisions people don't understand. For "Where should it go" by Mr Redfern, perhaps substitute who's going to pay for it? best wishes Nick Boldrini Historic Environment Record Officer Heritage Section Countryside Service North Yorkshire County Council Direct Dial (01609) 532331
|
|||
fitzcoraldo 2709 posts |
Dec 22, 2004, 10:49
|
||
|
OK I give up Dig it up and stick it in a museum, you'll all forget about it in a couple of years and then we'll nick it back and re-bury it. It took us 450 years to get the Lindesfarne Gospels back, but we managed it. and at least it'll keep you buggers off our lovely moors.
|
|||
|
Rhiannon 5291 posts |
Dec 22, 2004, 10:58
|
||
Does anyone know who found it? and what their thoughts on the matter are?
|
|||
|
nigelswift 8112 posts |
Dec 22, 2004, 11:09
|
||
|
Mr Fitz, we only want the one. You have so many. How about six months buried, six months dug up. We could do that with old bodies as well... ;)
|
|||
|
fitzcoraldo 2709 posts |
Dec 22, 2004, 11:14
|
||
|
The stone is part of a kerb and only the very top was exposed, some carving had been noticed on the top but as the cairn is a scheduled monument no-one touched it. Carvings are not uncommon in this area, well over 100 have been found within a square mile of this one. One day a walker came along, noticed the carving and partially dug the stone out, which was very naughty and a bit illegal, fotunately the walker had the good sense to inform someone of her find. Following this permission was obtained from EH to partially excavate the cairn and completely uncover the stone. A portion of the cairn was excavated, recorded including laser scanning of this stone and another that was found, laser scanned and then reburied.
|
|||
|
smallblueplanet 472 posts |
Dec 22, 2004, 11:21
|
||
Where or who did you get that information from? I'd like to read the original account?
|
|||
|
fitzcoraldo 2709 posts |
Dec 22, 2004, 11:21
|
||
|
No, sorry Nigel I've spat the dummy right out. I don't want any of you hungry buggers setting foot on my moors 'leaving your crisp packets everywhere'* * Stubobs Dad.
|
| Pages: 22 – [ Previous | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | Next ] | Add a reply to this topic |
|
|
|
| The Modern Antiquarian Forum Index | |
