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Zennor Quoit query
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tiompan
tiompan
5758 posts

Re: Zennor Quoit query
Sep 07, 2012, 20:51
Sanctuary wrote:
tiompan wrote:
Sanctuary wrote:
tiompan wrote:
Sanctuary wrote:
tiompan wrote:
Sanctuary wrote:
tiompan wrote:
If the Borlase drawing is inaccurate we are gubbed .If it is accurate then what you have a is a typical tripod portal dolmen i.e. the pointed backstone supporting the capstone either relatively flat or angle upwards from that stone e.g. ,http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/1055/legananny.html
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/116/llechydrybedd.html
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/117/pentre_ifan.html

The addition of side stones aren't necessary for support hence the sloping side doesn't matter ,although they do allow for ingress if the cairn is high enough .Trethevy ,rear of Poulnabrone have them . As for "Why would people with not a lot of free time on their hands find or fashion tapered stones and then balance a 10 ton capstone on what in comparison is a needle? " Who said they didn't have a lot of free time ? and even if they didn't ,we don't have a clue why they built these things , it's hardly utilitarian .If you want to dispose of of a few bones or lithics there are easier ways to go about doing it .If some sort of answer is needed then fwiw conspicuous construction , showing off .


If you consider it MAY have been a tripod portal dolmen George, then I assume you consider the other two supporting 'legs' are the two side flankers, is that correct? So based on that possibility, are you then suggesting that the front central closure stone along with the two front 'facade' slabs are a later addition?


Sorry Roy , I was unclear . I trying to say that the sloping side stones are are unnecessary for supporting the capstone (as seen at sites that don't have them and have no evidence for them ) their function is creating a cist like structure, and the slope (also found at other sites ) does not interfere with their function apart from allowing ingress . When a capstone does slip it conveniently fits over the angle of the slope making it appear that was their function . I imagine they are contemporary with the all the other components .


If it's as simple as that George why the slopes on the side if they are not neccessary? It would be far easier to just erect a line of thinner tall stones to create a cist instead of hauling something that weighs several tons (in this instant) and then work on them to create a slope surely. I still think the slopes are there to perform a function but that's just me.


Because you find the same thing at sites where the capstone hasn't collapsed (and quite a few monoliths ,Stenness etc ) , maybe it is for access from the side , also found at other sites . It's not about simplicity ,necessity or utility , they wouldn't go to all that bother in the first place .The hauling problem applies to any of the components you don't really need any of them , it's all for visual impact .


Yes Stenness for sure and also at many circles down here, but what dolmens spring to mind where the capstones are still in place and have pairs of equally sloped side stones?


. Sidestones are not necessary for support and there are plenty of examples where they don't touch the capstone . I mentioned two earlier , Trethevy , rear at Poulnabrone that are also sloping , others
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/2016/fenagh_beg.html
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/2305/kilmogue.html
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/2527/kilclooney_more.html


I can't see much there that has been purposely cut to shape George, they are in the main just natural slopes as far as I can tell. Those that do have a semblance of a slope are in fact supporting the capstones. You know my views on Trethevy and how I believe one of the slopers is out of position and part of an original opposing pair. Zennor is like that but the pair are still in position. What other dolmens do you know with matching pairs like this that appear to be purposely cut?


Does it matter if the slope is natural .The stones must have been chosen for their shape . Have a closer look at the sites mentioned there are sloping sidestones that are not supporting the capstone ,some have quite big gaps .
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