Meyn Mamvro - No 084 - Summer 2014

Magazine Overview

Title: Meyn Mamvro
Issue: 84
Date: Summer 2014
Price: £2.90

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, subtitled "ancient stones and sacred sites in cornwall," delves into various aspects of Cornish heritage, archaeology, and esoteric studies. The cover features a striking visual with a headline "On the edges of the area are nine vaft" and lists several key articles including "CLIFF CASTLES," "STONE CIRCLE ON SCILLY," "CASTLE ANOWTHAN," "NEWS," "DOWSING," "CASPN & LAN," and "ANCIENT TRACKS," with a note that all photos are now in full colour.

Contents and Articles

The Contents page (page 2) provides a detailed list of articles and their corresponding page numbers. Key articles include:

• Editorial (p. 1)
• Dowsing News (p. 2): This section details recent dowsing activities by various groups, including West Cornwall Dowsers and Trencrom Dowsers. Events include explorations at Carn Galva, Trevalgan Hill, and Padderbury Top, as well as talks on geomancy and landscape geometry.
• CASPN & LAN (p. 4): This section focuses on the Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network (CASPN) and the Lizard Ancient Sites Network (LAN), highlighting their community projects and efforts to protect ancient sites.
• Missing Menhirs: 13 - Treemenheere stones, Helston (p. 5): This article investigates the "Tremenheere" stones in Cornwall, which mean "the location of a standing stone." It discusses two known standing stones near St. Keverne and Stithians, and a third pair that were removed and used in construction.
• Ancient Tracks: 4 - Higher Kerrowe (p. 6): Written by Raymond Cox, this article explores ancient pathways in West Penwith, focusing on the Higher Kerrowe track, which is part of the Tinner's Way. It details the route, ancient sites, boundary stones, and alignments along the path.
• Home Sweet Ancient Home: 5 - Bosporthennis (p. 7): This piece describes the Bosporthennis Courtyard House settlement, a scattered site featuring a Beehive Hut, courtyard houses, and round rooms, noting its unique layout compared to other settlements like Carn Euny.
• News (p. 8): This section likely contains various short news items related to archaeology and ancient sites.
• Castle Anowthan - lost and found - Craig Weatherhill (p. 10): An article by Craig Weatherhill about the Castle Anowthan site.
• In Site: Guide to Cliff Castles (p.12)
• Cliff Castles - trading for tin - Roger Farnworth (p.14)
• Salakee Down stone circle on Scilly - V & R. Seaney (p.18)
• Standing Stone on Peninnis Head (p.21)
• Book Reviews (p.22)
• 20 years ago: St.Levan's mythic route (p.24)

Editorial and Publisher Information

Page 3 features an editorial piece titled "Meyn Mamvro - STONES OF OUR MOTHERLAND," discussing the rationale behind excavations by Cornwall's Historic Environment department, often driven by development plans rather than archaeological need. It also announces the sale of the Boscastle Witchcraft Museum to Simon Costin.

The magazine is printed by Paul Williment of Brighid Design, with contact details provided for Meyn Mamvro, including its address in Penzance, Cornwall.

Archaeological Discoveries

NEWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNEWSNEWS (page 8) reports on two significant finds:

• IRON AGE BROOCH FOUND ON SCILLY DIG: A team from HE Projects excavated a Late Iron Age/Early Romano-Celtic cist burial at Churchtown Farm, St Martin's, on the Isles of Scilly. A small copper alloy brooch, likely used for a shroud, was found, along with organic fibres.
• 'ROCK ART' STONE FOUND AT CARWYNNEN: During excavations at Carwynnen Quoit, a stone with a shield-like marking was discovered. Site Director Jacky Nowakowski notes the difficulty of finding such prehistoric motifs on Cornish granite.

Publications and Membership

Page 2 also lists Meyn Mamvro Publications, including titles like "PAGAN CORNWALL," "Megalithic Mysteries of Cornwall," and "FENTYNYOW KERNOW." It also details the "EARTH MYSTERIES GUIDES TO ANCIENT SITES" series.

Page 6 provides contact information for CORNISH ANCIENT SITES PROTECTION NETWORK [CASPN] and FRIENDS OF CORNWALL'S ANCIENT SITES [FOCAS], including addresses, websites, and contact persons for membership and site protection initiatives.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on the preservation and study of Cornwall's ancient heritage, including megalithic sites, sacred landscapes, and folklore. The editorial on page 3 suggests a critical stance towards conventional archaeological practices, highlighting how development and funding often dictate excavation priorities rather than pure research. The emphasis on dowsing and earth energies indicates an interest in alternative perspectives on these ancient sites. The magazine promotes active participation through groups like CASPN and FOCAS, encouraging readers to engage with and protect these historical locations.

Title: MEYN MAMVRO
Issue: 84
Volume: 84
Date: Summer 2014
Publisher: MEYN MAMVRO
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of MEYN MAMVRO delves into various archaeological discoveries and historical sites in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, focusing on prehistoric and Iron Age periods.

Rabbits Uncover Prehistoric Remains at Land's End

This article reports on an unusual discovery at Pordenack Point, near Land's End, where rabbits digging new warrens and tunnels unearthed a collection of Neolithic arrowheads and flint scrapers, estimated to be from around 3000 BCE. A survey by the archaeological team Big Heritage identified a potential Neolithic cemetery, along with remains of a Bronze Age entrance grave and barrows, and an Iron Age circular enclosure. While the enclosure, barrows, and entrance grave were previously known, Big Heritage claimed to have added significant new discoveries to the historical record of Land's End, stating that 'a family of rabbits have just rewritten the history books'. The article notes that some of these claims might be exaggerated.

New Excavation of St. Piran's Oratory

Historic Environment Projects, commissioned by the St. Piran's Trust, are undertaking a new excavation to locate the 6th-century remains of St. Piran's Oratory, situated under Penhale Sands near Perranporth. The site was originally built in the early years of Christianity in Cornwall and is attributed to St. Piran. It was subsequently buried by sand and rediscovered in the 18th century. Major digs in 1835 and 1843 uncovered skeletal remains, including that of a large headless man. The Oratory was reburied in 1910, then encased in a large concrete structure in 1980 and covered with sand again. The current excavation, which began in Spring 2014, has uncovered a significant portion of the Oratory, with a second phase planned for October to reach the original ground level. The Trust aims to preserve the Oratory for the future.

Castle Anowthan - Lost and Found

Authored by Craig Weatherhill, this article investigates the mysterious fortified site of Castle Anowthan, which has long puzzled researchers. The site was first mentioned in 1580 by John Penheleg in a document later published by P.A.S. (Peter) Pool in 1959. Penheleg's manuscript lists place names, including 'Castell Owthen in Morva'. Four years later, John Norden's map of 'Penwithe Hundred' depicted a hill with a castellated wall near Zennor, which he named 'Castle Anowthan', describing it as a 'craggy rock on the top of a hill near Zennor, upon the north sea, sometime trenched about, and built with stone'. No other historical maps from the period feature this site. The article discusses the etymology of the name, with modern toponymists agreeing it means 'castle of the oxen'.

Peter Pool's 1959 footnote suggested the site might be Chûn Castle or Bosigran Castle, but these were discounted. The answer to the location of Castle Anowthan emerged in 1984 when a large gorse fire on the hill of Carn Galva revealed tumbled walls and traces of a tor enclosure, possibly of Neolithic date. This site aligns with Norden's description of a 'craggy rock on top of a hill near Zennor'. The article also touches upon local legends of giants and their connection to ancient fortifications, noting the absence of such a legend for Carn Galva until after the 1984 fire, suggesting that Castle Anowthan might have been the original name for Carn Galva.

Cliff Castles - Trading for Tin

This section, by Roger Farnworth, examines the Iron Age cliff castles of West Penwith, Cornwall, and their connection to the tin trade. In the late Iron Age (post 400 BCE), a significant number of multivallate hill forts and promontory forts (cliff castles) were constructed, creating a new political map of the region. The growth of courtyard house settlements suggests increased prosperity, likely derived from a new source of wealth: tin. Cornwall's extensive coastline made seaborne trade probable, with tin being a crucial element in producing stronger bronze swords, thus altering the power balance in the eastern Mediterranean.

Diodorus described the route of Cornish tin being transported by sea and horseback to Marseilles. The proliferation of cliff castles is seen as a major indicator of this trade. Early Iron Age coastal forts like Bosigran and Maen looked inland, while later forts built on promontories, such as Gurnards Head, Kenidjack Castle, and Carn Les Boel, faced the sea. These later forts often had less substantial ramparts, suggesting they were not built for prolonged sieges but rather for observing and facilitating trade. The article lists eight of the best cliff castles in West Penwith: Treryn Dinas, Carn Les Boel, Maen Castle, Cape Cornwall, Kenidjack Castle, Bosigran Castle, Gurnards Head, and St. Ives Island.

Treryn Dinas is described as the largest and most complex Iron Age defended site in West Penwith, built on a promontory with massive ramparts. The article suggests that if Treryn Dinas was the first promontory fort built for foreign trade, it represents an early stage of encountering the unknown, with initial fear of theft and conflict. Over time, defences may have been reduced as trade conventions developed, leading to sites like 'Ictis' (St. Michael's Mount). The article notes that the tin trade likely shifted away from Penwith's cliff castles around 300 BCE, with the cliff castles flourishing for less than a hundred years in the fourth century BCE.

Salakee Down Stone Circle on Scilly

Written by Vivien & Robert Seaney, this article discusses a potential discovery on St. Mary's in the Isles of Scilly. While no stone circle is mentioned in the official archaeological guide, the authors found a reference to a 'Stone Circle' on a 1908 OS map. Further investigation revealed this to be the remains of an Entrance Grave excavated in 1942. However, a more significant find was a reproduction of a 1756 book by William Borlase, which contained a detailed engraving of a 'Druid Temple' in the form of a stone circle on Salakee Down. Borlase noted that some destruction had occurred and stones had been removed. A brief reference in a 1974 book by Paul Ashbee commented that the circle had never been located. A second, earlier book by Borlase recorded ancient monuments in Cornwall, and the content for his Scilly book was extracted from this, omitting an engraving of the 'Great Stone of the Druid Temple'. This large stone, over 7ft tall, was described as rectangular with a girth of over 40ft and had 13 hollows on top, which Borlase called 'basons'.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around archaeological discoveries, historical sites, and the interpretation of ancient evidence in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The magazine highlights the importance of local history, prehistoric periods (Neolithic, Bronze Age), and the Iron Age, particularly focusing on defensive structures like hill forts and cliff castles. The role of trade, especially the tin trade, in shaping the region's economy and settlement patterns is a prominent theme. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting archaeological research, historical inquiry, and public engagement with heritage sites, as evidenced by the reporting of new excavations and the exploration of historical records and legends.

Title: MEYN MAMVRO
Issue: 84
Volume: 84
Date: Summer 2014
Publisher: Meyn Mamvro
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
ISSN: 0966-5897

This issue of Meyn Mamvro focuses on Cornish archaeology, folklore, and myth, with a particular emphasis on ancient sites and their historical interpretations. The magazine features articles on stone circles, standing stones, and mythic routes, alongside book reviews and event listings.

Salakee Down Stone Circle

The lead article discusses the Salakee Down Stone Circle in Scilly, which was identified through an engraving from a 1756 book. The authors located the site on Salakee Down, confirming its size and layout matched the engraving. While smaller standing stones have been lost, large earth-fast rocks remain, and the site is overgrown. The area is described as a ceremonial landscape with entrance graves and stone circles. The builders are thought to have incorporated natural rocks to form a circle, possibly using smaller stones as standing stones on the rim. The site's coordinates are given as 49° 54' 50" N and 6° 17' 06" W, at SV9250 1032. The discovery is seen as recovering a lost part of Scilly's archaeological heritage and validating William Borlase's observations.

Further details are provided about the Salakee Down Stone Circle, noting its unusual features as a large area of flat rock with natural earthfast rocks, now overgrown. No standing stones remain, except for a 'Rude Pillar' (stone B) about 7 ft high, which was lying on the ground. The engraving from 1752 shows many smaller rocks, which may have been standing stones or bases. A survey of remaining stones suggests their positions were accurately recorded, aiding the analysis of solar alignments. Alignments for the midwinter and midsummer solstices and equinoxes are depicted, with the equinox sunset possibly occurring over the 'Rude Pillar'. Observations made during the 2010 midsummer solstice and 2012 autumn equinox are presented as confirmation that the circle was constructed to observe solar cycle events.

Standing Stone on Peninnis Head

This section details the identification of a standing stone on Peninnis Head, also mentioned in Borlase's book. An illustration from Borlase's book shows a tall, thin, pyramidal stone on the cliff top, described as an 'object of the Druid devotion'. This stone had not been located until a visit to Peninnis Head revealed a recumbent stone matching the engraving's description. The stone is triangular with a broken pointed top, and a hollow in the ground below its large end suggests it was once upstanding. Speculation surrounds its purpose, whether it was always recumbent or raised by human effort. Its cliff-top position could have served as a navigation aid for ships. The article questions what happened to the stone after the 1750s, suggesting it might have been felled to provide a clear arc of fire for a gun battery upgraded in the late 18th century. The recumbent stone is visible on the 1908 Ordnance Survey Map. The site is located 90 metres east of Peninnis Lighthouse, and the stone circle on Salakee Down is about a 40-minute walk further east.

Book Reviews

'Between the Realms: Cornish Myth and Magic' by Cheryl Straffon

Reviewed by Dr. Alan Kent, this book is praised for its exploration of the linkages between the cultural geography of place and identity, and folklore and myth in Cornwall. Straffon's work is described as breaking new ground by exploring the connectivity between tradition, tale, and the 'Otherworld'. The book is recognized for its unique cosmography and belief system, with echoes found in 19th-century folklore collections and archaeological discoveries. It is noted that while familiarity with Cornish folklore is helpful, the book is structured to provide sufficient background. Straffon's experience is highlighted, and the volume offers a comparative edge, situating Cornish beliefs within a wider system of indigenous beliefs. The review emphasizes how living in Cornwall attunes one to different layers of time, a concept that underpins Straffon's argument. The book includes examples of Arthuriana and Celtic totem animals, making connections usually limited to Irish and Welsh folklore. It is suggested that the book helps readers understand themselves more effectively and offers a new look into fairy lore.

Reviewed by Eileen Roche in "Northern Earth" magazine, the book is considered interesting for those with a folklore interest, connecting the Otherworldly landscape of Cornwall with local beliefs, legends, and mythology. Comparisons are made with other places like Brittany, Wales, and Ireland, and even Australian Dreamtime Songlines and the Gundestrup cauldron are referenced. The book explores the interface between the modern world and magic/otherworldly spirits, covering topics such as shamans, fairy boundaries, giants, totem animals, mermaids, and various folk stories. It attempts to link the known with the ancient people of the past, arguing that the oral tradition, like genetic research, shows an unbroken line from Neolithic times to the present, though it may be incomplete. Cheryl Straffon is mentioned as giving a PowerPoint presentation based on the book.

20 Years Ago: Mythic Route to St. Levan

This section revisits an article from MM23 (Winter/Spring 1994) by Paul Devereux, which suggested a Cornish mythic route or church way running to St. Levan in West Penwith. The path, still walkable today, starts at Bodellan and goes through Rospletha. A legendary encounter between St. Levan and a woman named Johanna is recounted, where Johanna rebuked the saint for fishing on a Sunday, leading him to prophesise that any child she baptised would be foolish. The track then aligns towards the old church at St. Levan, marked by a Celtic cross. In the churchyard, there is a split stone, with a prophecy attributed to Merlin or St. Levan about the world ending when one can ride through the stone with panniers. The stone is suggested to be a pre-Christian sacred rock around which the church was established.

Further investigation into the mythic route and churchyard stone is described. In May 1998, CEMG walked the route, starting at Richard Webb's garden, where the site of St. Levan's grave was thought to be. Uncomfortable energies were dowsed. In November 2010, West Cornwall Dowsers visited the churchyard and found powerful energies in the split stone, with one side positive and the other negative, suggesting its use for germinating seeds. A stone found across the road aligned NE-SW with the split stone, marking the midwinter solstice sunset. This stone also marked a track leading to Portchapel beach, where St. Levan's holy well and ruined cell are located, suggesting an extension of the mythic path.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of ancient sites, folklore, mythology, and the 'Otherworld' in Cornwall and the surrounding regions. There is a strong emphasis on archaeological discoveries, historical interpretations, and the spiritual or magical significance of landscapes and ancient monuments. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting research and understanding of these esoteric and historical aspects of Cornish heritage, encouraging readers to engage with local history and beliefs. The inclusion of book reviews and event listings further supports this focus, connecting readers with authors, researchers, and related organizations in the field of earth mysteries and paganism.