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Zennor Quoit query
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tiompan
tiompan
5758 posts

Re: Zennor Quoit query
Sep 07, 2012, 18:48
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 .
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