Julian Cope presents Head Heritage

Yes this is what I was looking at and filmed yesterday on Bodmin Moor near the Cheesewring but found the same photo already in the archives.
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/298/cheesewring.html

From its appearance, and this is only an educated guess as I have not witnessed this in the rain, it appeared that water running off the top stone could run into the 'bowl' on the right-hand side of the stone beneath it. Next to it as you will see is another bowl shaped dugout and between the two a shallow overflow groove had been cut out to allow water to run from one to the other. The one on the left then had a deep groove cut as you can see to the front that presumably was used to run water off into a container/bowl of sorts.
The top stone had a series of what may have been cup marks which one could almost be seen as a pattern. I say 'what may have been' as they were all pretty much identical to each other so I haven't ruled out modern-day workings. How about you other Cornish stoneheads have you seen this or discussed it before?

I'm by far and away not the best qualified person to comment on anything here, but have been up to the Cheesewring a few times now.

The first time I went, I wondered, on the way up to it, how on earth anyone could have possibly balanced the stones so perfecttly on top of each other like that! Upon further inspection, it became clear that the stones were naturally weathered, as were all of the big boulders in the vicinity!

On more than one visit, the wind has blown so hard it's been difficult to remain upright. This, combined with the heavy rains, create the wonderful, natural shapes that make it such a popular place to visit.

The weathering caused by the rain swirling down over the rocks over the centuries do cut some amazing grooves and gullies... Have you been to Carn Brea, near Redruth? There's an amazing stone there - can't remember it's name for now - something like the Giant's Seat or summat - is an incredible work of natural art!

These "cupmarks" you mention - are they fairly deep and uniform? If so, it could have been what I believe is known as the Jubilee Stone (or similar. I really should have researched this before replying!) It was bored in order to house gunpowder which was then ignited to commemorate some monarch's Jubilee (Victoria?) It's said that they are pitched to play the national anthem in bangs if ignited in the right order. Yeah, right! :D

Nice story tho. ;)

I hope Mr Hamhead or someone can come by and iron out my poorly researched information here! :D Maybe I should have waited till I was in front of my computer so I could have looked stuff up.

G x

Oh, and by the way - images received loud and clear! :) Thank you!

I reckon the "bowls" are natural enough. I can't remember where I saw it - actually I think it was St Nectan's Kieve, where it happened on a MUCH bigger scale! - where you'd get a stone rattling around in the eroded rock, and the more it's rattled around, the more it helps the erosion. It'd go spinning around in the dip for years and years until it's created quite a hole.

Although it could also be to do with the nature of the rock itself for all I know! :D Seems there's quite a few rocks around with this feature, so maybe it's just the way it erodes.

Andwhile I think of it...
Step-by-step instructions on how to upload your pics:

1) The image must be in jpg/jpeg format, and no larger than 720px on teh longest side
2) Make sure you're logged in!
3) Browse to the main page of the relevant site (eg http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/298/cheesewring.html)
4) On the dropdown list marked "Add", select "Add an image"
5) Click "Browse" to find the location on your computer that the photo is kept (eg C:\Documents and Settings\goffik\My Documents\My Pictures)
6) Enter the photo credit (ie How yyou'd like your name to appear)
7) Enter a description if you so wish
8) Click "Submit"!

Et voila! L'image est sur l'Antiquarian de Modern! Or summat. ;)

G x