Meyn Mamvro - No 047 - WinterSpring 2002

Magazine Overview

Meyn Mamvro, Issue No. 47, Winter-Spring 2002. This issue of the magazine, dedicated to "ancient stones and sacred sites in Cornwall," offers a diverse range of articles exploring local earth mysteries, archaeological discoveries, pagan practices, and folklore. The cover highlights key features including a special Scilly Isles section, the discovery of a stone circle at St.Eval, and the 'Time Team's' investigations on the Lizard peninsula.

Editorial and General Commentary

The editorial reflects on the profound impact of global events, such as the September 11th, 2001 attacks and the subsequent bombing of Afghanistan, on the interconnected world. It contrasts these large-scale conflicts with local concerns, noting that the same kind of religious intolerance and bigotry can manifest even in one's own backyard. The destruction of 'clouties' at Sancreed Well and their burning in the Chapel is cited as an example of this intolerance, attributed to local 'Born-Again Christians.' The editorial draws a parallel between these local actions and the larger global conflicts, emphasizing that attacking another group's sites due to dislike is a form of bigotry that can lead to world conflicts.

On a more positive note, the editorial highlights the efforts of the local Sacred Sites Network Group, which includes representatives from various organizations like The National Trust and Meyn Mamvro. The group is seeking funding to appoint a Sacred Sites Management Officer to promote and manage sustainable access to ancient sites in West Penwith. The article acknowledges the valuable voluntary work done by the group over the past five years and the strong links forged between interested parties, while stressing the need for more coordinated efforts.

Cornish Earth Mysteries Group News

The 'news page' section details recent activities of the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group. The 3rd annual Lammas Picnic on Trencrom Hill attracted about 30 people for views, a picnic, drumming, and music, with some visiting a sacred well. A subsequent meeting on Sunday, September 2nd, at Porthallow Vineyard on the Lizard peninsula, involved a guided walk around sacred sites and the discovery of unusual features like the 'Lion figure' and the 'Giant's Quoits' rock formation. The group also visited Halligye fogou for a silent meditation. Later, a 'swan song' walk led by author Kelvin Jones explored sites related to the legend of Bucca and the Borlase family, concluding at Lesingey hill fort. A scheduled talk by Aubrey Burl on stone circles was unfortunately cancelled due to his sickness.

Sacred Sites News

Sancreed Well in a Mess: This section reports on the deteriorating condition of Sancreed Well. Branches overhanging the well were hacked off, and 'clouties' were removed and burnt in the Chapel, leaving an 'ugly fire pit.' Local pagans and the Church Warden denied knowledge, but the magazine suggests 'Born-Again Christians' were responsible, citing a similar incident from a couple of years prior. The water level in the well has also dropped significantly, reaching a critical level. The Sacred Sites Network Group is investigating potential causes for the low water table.

'English' Signs May Be Set for a Change: A dispute over the defacement of English Heritage signs, where the Tudor Rose and logos were blotted out or replaced with the Cornish St.Piran's cross, may be nearing a resolution. Cornwall County Council plans to consult on 'alternative' sign designs. County Councillor Mike Gillbard's comments, describing Cornish nationalists as 'mini-terrorists' and 'extremist idiots,' drew criticism from other councillors who argued for addressing underlying injustices.

Stone Tools from Polynesia to Portreath: Neolithic stone hand tools, estimated to be over 4000 years old, were discovered in a garden in Portreath. The Royal Cornwall Museum identified them as originating from the Polynesian Islands, over 10,000 miles away, raising questions about how they came to be buried in Cornwall.

Readers Write

Strange Phenomena at the Merry Maidens: Neil Mortimer recounts an incident from 1991 where his camera repeatedly malfunctioned (turning on/off, flash firing, zoom whizzing) while he stood on an upright stone at the Merry Maidens circle, but behaved normally when he stepped off. He speculates this could be due to the electrically-charged atmosphere from a storm.

Heather Collins notes the similarity between this phenomenon and reports of anomalous shadows and camera malfunctions in crop circle investigations, suggesting common properties between circles.

Den Browne shares a similar experience of hearing women's and children's voices at Scorhill stone circle on Dartmoor in 1997.

Penwith Pagan Moot

The Penwith Moot has been celebrating eight seasonal festivals and holding monthly meetings since Lammas 2000. Their rituals have taken place in various locations, including caves, quarries, and ancient sites. Recent events included a serpent dance at a roundhouse and a transformation ritual from corn to bread. The Moot's gatherings are well-attended, with over 45 people at the last Samhain. Monthly meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at Chy Gwella, Penzance, covering topics like sacred herbs, divination, and holy wells. Rituals and Moots are open to all.

Jean Harris Obituary: The section includes an obituary for Jean Harris, a pagan and healer who died on October 26th after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. She was a writer for Meyn Mamvro and will be missed by the community.

St.Eval Church and Its Stone Circle

Howard Balmer discusses the St.Eval Church area in West Penwith, noting its bleak landscape and history of being bulldozed for RAF runways. Despite the military presence, the area offers extensive views. Balmer focuses on the potential presence of a pre-Christian stone circle, citing the circular churchyard wall and identifying several stones (A, B, C, and D) as possible evidence. He particularly highlights Stones C and D, which he uncovered, as strong evidence for a circle. He invites readers to view the site and offer their opinions.

A diagram illustrates the church and possible stone circle layout, with detailed drawings of the stones. A quote from 'HB' (presumably Howard Balmer) expresses excitement about his discoveries and the beauty of Stones C and D.

Time Team Discoveries at the Lizard

Channel 4's 'Time Team' returned to Cornwall to investigate Iron Age settlements at Gear Farm and Caervallack Farm near St. Martin on the Lizard. The 3-day dig at Gear Farm revealed an 18-acre Iron Age village with 10-15 round houses and evidence of an earlier Neolithic settlement dating back over 5500 years. The settlement was concluded to be occupied year-round by a few people, with wider community gatherings at certain times. At Caervallack Farm, finds included a polished flint axe and decorated pottery. The programme also involved the Young Archaeologists Club and local primary school children, and visited the Iron Age settlement at Bodrifty. The findings are set to be shown in the new Time Team season in early 2002.

A map shows the locations of Gear Farm, Caervallack, Halligye fogou, and St. Martin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores the intersection of ancient history, pagan beliefs, and the natural landscape of Cornwall. There is a strong emphasis on preserving and understanding these sites, as evidenced by the work of the Sacred Sites Network Group. The publication also highlights local community activities, such as pagan moots and gatherings, and provides a platform for readers to share their experiences and observations, particularly regarding unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of advocating for the recognition and protection of Cornwall's ancient heritage, while also acknowledging and discussing contemporary issues like religious intolerance and the impact of modern development on these sites.

Title: MEYN MAMVRO
Issue: 47
Date: Winter-Spring 2002
Publisher: MEYN MAMVRO
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of MEYN MAMVRO delves into ancient history and archaeology, focusing on sites in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It features articles on the reconstruction of an Iron Age roundhouse, the exploration of ancient settlements and stone alignments, and the sacred landscapes of the Scilly Isles.

Iron Age Roundhouse Built at Bodrifty

The first article details the construction of a 21st-century Iron Age roundhouse at Bodrifty in West Penwith, Cornwall. The project was undertaken by Fred and Penny Mustill, who farm the land and have become fascinated by the ancient site. The area surrounding Bodrifty has evidence of occupation from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age periods. The original Bodrifty village, excavated in the early 1950s, was home to over 100 people and occupied for approximately 1000 years. Fred Mustill, using his building expertise and a grant, decided to construct a replica roundhouse in 1999. The process took two years, involving the movement of large stones weighing several tons, shaping hundreds of feet of timber, and thatching the roof with reeds gathered over two winters. Traditional 'rab' (likely a local term for a type of mortar or daub) was used for the mortar, and oak, ash, holly, and hazel from local woods were used for the roof structure. The design was based on post holes identified during the 1950s excavation, aiming to interpret the largest roundhouse of the original village, which itself remains remarkably preserved with walls up to 4ft high.

Mulfras's Settlement, Stones & Alignments

Authored by Raymond Cox, this article explores the ancient settlement and megalithic sites in the Mulfra area of West Penwith. The winding lane leads to Mulfra Farm and then to Mulfra Hill, revealing a landscape rich with archaeological features. The area includes Iron Age Courtyard House settlements at Mulfra Vean and Bodrifty, with evidence of hut circles and other structures. Excavations in 1954 at the Mulfra settlement revealed samian ware, pottery, and beach pebbles. The article describes various sites, including a possible courtyard house with surviving walling, terraces, and stone scatters. It also notes a d-shaped platform believed to be a hut circle. The author discusses the challenges of identifying features due to dense vegetation and modern field walls. The article highlights the interconnectedness of ancient monuments and their link to the earth's spirit, suggesting the Mulfra area is a potent example of this on the Land's End Peninsula.

Alignments and Standing Stones

The article lists several alignments of ancient sites, including Men-an-Tol, tumuli, boundary stones, and menhirs, connecting them to settlements like Mulfra and Chysauster. It also details a long alignment cutting through old tracks on Mulfra Hill, linking Sennen church, tumuli, standing stones, and settlements. According to Robin Payne, there are records of three missing standing stones in the Mulfra area, one of which would have been on an alignment. The article references W.C. Borlase's 1872 record of a stone on Mulfra Hill and discusses potential locations for other missing menhirs based on historical maps like the 1840 Tithe map, such as 'Further Long Stone Field' and 'Menheere'.

Focus on Scilly: Moving Through Sacred Space on St. Mary's

Written by Cheryl Straffon, this section focuses on the ancient sites of the Isles of Scilly, which are described as relatively unspoilt compared to the mainland. The article references the 'Earth Mysteries Guide to Ancient Sites on the Scillies' and a recent CEMG trip. The islands are the remnants of an original island named 'Ennor', representing high places and hills. The rise in sea levels since prehistoric times has left a unique series of ritual and ceremonial sites. The article suggests that people moved through the landscape to visit, worship, and honour the dead and the Earth Mother on 'holy hilltops', creating a sense of a sacred journey. The CEMG visitors followed a coastal path on St. Mary's, linking sites such as Halangy Down Courtyard House settlement (Romano-British Iron Age) and Bants Carn Entrance Grave (Bronze Age). The entrance of the Bants Carn monument faces northeast, aligning with the midsummer solstice sunrise.

Betrothal Stone and Innisdgen Entrance Graves

The Betrothal Stone, a unique holed stone found in a private garden at Rocky Hill, is described as ancient with a distinctive shape. It may have been used for binding ceremonies. The coastal path leads to Halangy Down, followed by Bants Carn. Further along the coast are the Innisdgen Entrance Graves, two chambered tombs. The Lower Innisdgen grave is less preserved, while the Upper one, facing southeast, aligns with the winter solstice sunrise. The article posits that these tombs, along with Bants Carn, may have been part of a ritual complex celebrating the solstices.

Porth Hellick Down

On the east side of the island, Porth Hellick Down features a complex of entrance graves and barrows. The best-preserved site is a circular mound with an entrance passage facing northwest, designed so that a blocking stone would concentrate the last rays of the midsummer sunset into the tomb. The author suggests that Bants Carn, Long Rock menhir, Innisdgen Upper, and Porth Hellick Down might form a single ritual complex related to the sun's cycle.

Focus on Scilly: Scillonian Stone Rows on Gugh: Smoke and Mirrors

Authored by Andy Norfolk, this article recounts a visit to the island of Gugh in the Isles of Scilly. The author describes the journey to St. Agnes and then Gugh, noting the otherworldly appearance of the islands. The name 'Gugh' is suggested to derive from the Cornish word 'keow' meaning 'hedges'. The visit included Obadiah's Barrow, a chambered tomb with tumbled capstones, possibly disturbed by excavation. The article notes the absence of ritualistic litter, contrasting it with mainland sites. The group then climbed to Kittern Hill, where they discovered stone rows, similar to those found on Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor. The author discusses the archaeological debate surrounding these features, with 'field systems' sometimes being reinterpreted as 'boulder lines' or Bronze Age stone rows. The article highlights the interpretative nature of archaeology, where terminology and observations can lead to different conclusions.

Stone Rows and Alignments on Gugh

The article details the stone rows and cairns on Kittern Hill, Gugh, which are described as prominent landmarks that 'statement' the landscape. These features, along with lines of boulders, may have defined sacred spaces. The author notes that on Gugh, rows and cairns sanctify and dramatize the landscape. The group descended towards the Old Man of Gugh menhir, a leaning slab of granite, which was aligned with a rock stack at Dropnose Point. Another row of small stones runs down the spine of the island. Near the Old Man, a flat stone propped on smaller ones resembles a miniature dolmen, and two more stone rows emanate from a nearby cairn/outcrop.

Archaeological Interpretations of Stone Rows

The article discusses the evolving terminology and interpretations of stone rows by archaeologists. Paul Ashbee's 1974 work is cited, describing 'functionless boulder walls' linking chamber tombs and cairns, potentially representing early enclosure systems or alignments. Barnatt's 1982 statement that only one stone row survived in Cornwall is contrasted with the identification of at least ten on Bodmin Moor. Charles Thomas's 1985 assertion that Scilly had no stone rows is also challenged by the recognition of a three-stone row on St. Martin's. Ashbee's 1986 response suggests that Scillonian counterparts to Dartmoor's stone rows exist, linking chambered cairns on Gugh and Samson's North Hill, possibly forming a continuous territorial marker. The article concludes that the interpretation of these features is subjective and influenced by archaeological fashion and methodology.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of ancient history, archaeology, and the interpretation of prehistoric sites. There is a strong emphasis on the connection between landscape, ritual, and the beliefs of ancient peoples. The articles highlight the importance of fieldwork, excavation, and the ongoing debate within archaeology regarding the classification and meaning of ancient structures. The editorial stance appears to favor a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, acknowledging the subjective nature of interpretation while celebrating the enduring mysteries of the past. The inclusion of detailed site descriptions, historical context, and personal accounts contributes to a rich and engaging exploration of these ancient landscapes.

Title: MEYN MAMVRO
Issue: 47
Date: Winter-Spring 2002
Publisher: Meyn Mamvro Publications
Country: United Kingdom
ISSN: 0966-5897

This issue of MEYN MAMVRO delves into ancient landscapes, rituals, and spiritual practices, with a strong focus on Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It features articles on archaeological interpretations of stone structures, a personal account of a ritual honouring a Goddess, and broader explorations of sacred sites and their connection to music and landscape.

Stone row on Gugh

This article examines the interpretation of ancient stone structures, particularly on Scilly. By 1992, the Cornwall Archaeological Unit had reclassified stone rows as "field systems," defined by walls, stony banks, and lynchets. The author questions this distinction, noting that field systems are typically for tillage or pasture, while stone rows lack obvious agricultural function and are often associated with spiritual or liminal purposes, frequently culminating in a cairn. Citing Aubrey Burl, the article states that 80% of stone rows on Dartmoor and all single rows are set along easy gradients, culminating in a cairn near the slope's crest, suggesting they served as processional ways to sacred areas. Burl dates these Dartmoor rows to 2100BCE–1600BCE, a period almost identical to the colonisation of Scilly. The article also references work by Charles Thomas and Paul Ashbee, who discuss the functions of chambered tombs as shrines and sacred places, signifying the presence of the dead and acting as a reservoir of vitality and power for fertility. The author suggests that stone rows might have been intended to channel this power into the land. The article highlights the mystery of why structures appearing to be Bronze Age stone rows are labelled "field systems" by some archaeologists, and calls for a re-examination of such prehistoric agricultural walls on Scilly.

Ritual in Honour of the Goddess Sillina on Nornour

Written by Sheila Bright, this piece recounts a personal and group experience of a ritual on the island of Nornour in the Isles of Scilly, dedicated to the Goddess Sillina. The author describes the initial challenges in gathering and focusing for the ritual, including the distraction of wildlife and personal feelings of tiredness and headachiness. Choosing stillness and healing, the author engaged in Qigong in one of the identified shrine huts, finding a profound sense of peace and a clearing of her headache. The experience led to a realization about honouring personal needs and the expansion of time in a sacred space. The group, comprising individuals with diverse spiritual paths, came together to perform a ritual with minimal preparation. They gathered at an offering stone and then in a shrine hut, using Cornish in greetings and incorporating various traditions. Cheryl's inspiration led to an amended chant invoking Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, and SILLINA, creating a powerful invocation. Desireé contributed Native American sacred chanting, and Margot recited a poem. The ritual concluded with a focus on Sillina as Goddess of Protection, and the participants left the island feeling blessed. A gentle irony emerged when the true shrine rooms were discovered to be overgrown, and the group had used old living huts for their inspiring ritual, reinforcing a lesson in letting go of control.

A poem titled "SILLINA - MOON GODDESS" by Margot Miller is included, celebrating Sillina's connection to the moon, destiny, and emotions.

The Cry of the Mothers on Nor-Nour

This article by Margot Miller describes a six-year wait to land on Nor-Nour and the unexpected spiritual and emotional experience that unfolded. Upon arrival, the author encountered a distressed oyster-catcher protecting its chick near a sacred shrine. This natural drama, coupled with a phone call from a sick mother, led the author to interpret the situation as "Mother Earth's children calling out for her help; the mothers and grandmothers called to defend and cherish the earth and its young." The experience is described as a "birthing on different levels."

Sue Aston: Sacred Landscapes

This section promotes "Sacred Landscapes," an album of music inspired by the landscape of Celtic Cornwall, described as beautiful, moving, and redolent of Sacred Cornwall. It also features "Genius Loci - The Spirit of Place," an initiative supporting the landscape of Cornwall through music, art, and teachings, with contributions from Cassandra Latham, Sarah Vivian, and Rose Farm. Contact details and pricing for the CD are provided.

Exchange Magazines and Noticeboard

The magazine includes sections listing "Exchange Magazines" with details on subscriptions for publications related to sacred sites, earth mysteries, paganism, Celtic traditions, and Arthurian lore. A "Noticeboard" section provides information on upcoming talks, conferences, workshops, and celebrations in Cornwall and Devon, including events organized by Cornish Earth Mysteries, Pagan Moots, PF Devon & Cornwall Spring Conference, Friends of the Witchcraft Museum, Penwith College, and Beltane Celebrations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the exploration of ancient sites, particularly in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and their connection to spiritual beliefs and practices. There is a strong emphasis on interpreting archaeological evidence, such as stone rows, not just for their material form but for their symbolic and ritualistic significance. The magazine promotes a holistic view of spirituality, encompassing earth mysteries, Goddess worship, and personal well-being, as exemplified by the ritual on Nornour. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into ancient cultures, spiritual traditions, and the profound connection between landscape and human experience. The inclusion of event listings and magazine exchanges suggests an aim to foster a community interested in these subjects.