Meyn Mamvro - No 085 - Autumn 2014

Magazine Overview

Title: Meyn Mamvro
Issue: 85
Date: Autumn 2014
Price: £3.00
Publisher: Meyn Mamvro
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English

This issue of Meyn Mamvro, a magazine dedicated to archaeology and 'alternative archaeology' in Cornwall, is packed with new discoveries and important events, reflecting nearly 30 years of the publication's work. The editorial highlights the significant contributions being made by amateur researchers and enthusiasts, contrasting their efforts with the increasingly technical and specialized nature of mainstream archaeology.

Key Articles and Features

Carwynnen Quoit Restoration

The issue celebrates the final restoration of Carwynnen Quoit, a project first proposed 20 years ago. The magazine includes a colorful center-page feature on the restoration and an article by Professor Charles Thomas discussing the possible significance of the original quoit.

Goddess Figurine Discovery

Exclusive to Meyn Mamvro is the news of the discovery of a potential stone figurine of a Goddess by Graham Hill at Clodgy Moor in West Penwith. Graham Hill's expertise in prehistoric pottery and materials, along with his previous find of an inscribed boat slate in the same area, lends weight to this discovery and its interpretation.

Guilly Stone Structure

Dowser Bart O'Farrell is credited with discovering a megalithic structure at Guilly on the Lizard peninsula. This site, described as a large, roughly oval stone structure with 17-18 stones, is believed to have been used for ritual or ceremonial purposes in the Bronze Age. The article details its location and features, including an outlier stone and a markstone possibly related to midwinter solstice sunrise. The discovery also includes unrecorded remains of a hut circle settlement.

Carved Pattern on Cross-Shaft

Sculptor Rory Te'Tigo investigates the carvings on an abandoned cross-shaft in St.Just Church. The article details the discovery of a carved pattern on a rock face near Carn Eanes, which appears to be graffiti, possibly made by local tin-miners. Te'Tigo's exploration and contemplation of the pattern, which resembles the ground plan of a Romano-Iron-Age courtyard house, are described.

Bodmin Moor Discoveries

The first part of a report by archaeologist Peter Herring details fascinating discoveries and observations made on Bodmin Moor by the late amateur archaeologist Roger Farnworth.

Ancient Tracks: Mên-an-Tol Lane

Raymond Cox explores ancient pathways in West Penwith, focusing on the tracks that may have been used by ancestors. The article highlights the Mên-an-Tol holed stone, the Mên Scryfa inscribed stone, and the Nine Maidens stone circle, as well as the Four Parishes Stone at the meeting point of four parishes. It discusses alignments and the historical significance of these ancient routes.

Home Sweet Ancient Home: Nanjulian

This feature describes the Nanjulian Courtyard House settlement, located on the coast near St.Just and Sennen. Maintained by the National Trust, the settlement consists of several nucleated courtyard houses, some of which were partially excavated in the 1950s, though findings were not published. The article details the layout and potential features, including a possible fogou.

Dowsing News

This section covers recent dowsing activities and talks. It includes a talk by Palden Jenkins on 'Power Points in Time,' discussions on how dowsing can be measured, and reports on outings by Trencrom Dowsers and West Cornwall Dowsers to various sites, including Manaccan, St.Anthony-in-Meneage, Trevalgan Hill, and Lower Boscaswell. These outings involved investigating wells, churches, cairns, fogous, and ancient settlements.

Spring into Summer 2014

This section chronicles various events and festivals held in Cornwall during the spring of 2014. It mentions a Good Friday clear-up at Fenton Bebibell well, Maypole dances at St.Just, Obby Oss Day in Padstow, Beltane rituals by the Penwith Pagan Moot, International Labyrinth Day, and International Dowsing Day events.

Publications and Ordering

The magazine also promotes Meyn Mamvro's own publications, including guides to Earth Mysteries and ancient sites in Cornwall, with details on revised editions and prices. Information is provided on how to order these publications via mail or the website.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the rich prehistoric and ancient heritage of Cornwall, particularly its megalithic sites, sacred landscapes, and earth energies. There is a strong emphasis on the value of 'alternative archaeology' and the significant contributions made by amateur researchers and enthusiasts who operate outside the mainstream academic establishment. The editorial stance champions the idea that these individuals play a crucial role in uncovering and interpreting the past, and it advocates for a more permanent and measured approach to recording discoveries, in contrast to the ephemeral nature of modern digital information. The magazine positions itself as a vital platform for documenting these findings and preserving the knowledge of Cornwall's ancient past.

Title: MEYN MAMVRO
Issue: 85
Date: Autumn 2014

This issue of MEYN MAMVRO, a publication focused on Cornish archaeology and history, presents a diverse range of articles exploring ancient art, monuments, and events.

Celtic Knot-Work Patterns on Cross Shafts

The issue begins with an exploration of Celtic knot-work patterns found on cross shafts. The author recounts a year-long investigation initiated by a phone call from MM editor Cheryl Straffon. Another reader identified a pattern on the cross shaft in St. Just Church as an attempt to carve the Celtic knot-work pattern found on Carn Eanes. Upon visiting St. Just Church, the author found that drawings and rubbings of the Carn Eanes pattern were a perfect match when overlaid on the cross shaft. The stone in St. Just Church is described as fine-grained white granite with a thin line of black tourmaline, a signature of the quarry at Church Carn, Pendeen. The pattern on the right side of the lintel/cross shaft is made up of two concentric circles intersected and interlaced with two flattened circles, forming an interlaced x-shaped cross.

A second, unfinished Celtic knot-work pattern is also noted on the same cross shaft, which was later re-used as a lintel in the north wall of St. Just Church. This wall construction is dated to the 11th or 12th century, a period influenced by the Normans when the church was reshaped. The knot-work pattern on the lintel/cross shaft has been classified as Hiberno-Saxon and dated to the 8th or 9th century, which is considered peculiar given that West Cornwall is not historically associated with Hibernia (Scotland) or Saxons during that time. The lintel/cross shaft has been shortened, suggesting the original pattern may have extended further. Due to lighting and shadow, photographing the pattern is difficult, necessitating a drawing.

The author initially assumed the peculiar placement of the Carn Eanes pattern and the abandonment of the left panel on the lintel indicated a carver's incompetence. However, the article reflects that after nearly 1100 years, such a conclusion should not be automatically drawn without understanding the exact circumstances.

The article further speculates on the links between the pattern and a Celtic or heretic form of Christianity, possibly the Priscillian Heresy, whose followers were allegedly banished to the Isles of Scilly around 485 C.E. Similarities are drawn to Celtic knot work on St. Patrick's Bell Shrine and the 'Book of Dimma' from Ireland, suggesting a connection to Irish Celtic Christianity. The abandonment of a pattern might signify a struggle between Irish/Celtic and Roman Catholic Christianity. The placement of the Carn Eanes pattern could mark a spot where an Irish Celtic Priest/Saint preached.

Despite these speculations, the article states as fact that the cross shaft/lintel in St. Just Church is connected to the pattern on Carn Eanes, and the stone originated from the Carn Eanes quarry. The author notes that the pattern has been incorporated into their own work as a granite carving sculptor.

St.James Well

A brief section highlights St.James Well, located in the Glynn Valley, east of Bodmin and west of Liskeard. The well is marked as 'spring' on OS maps and lies on Forestry Commission land. It was previously hidden by rhododendrons and laurels but has recently been re-discovered. A chapel associated with the well, situated north of the A38, no longer exists. The dedication to St.James may link to St.James of Compostela.

Carwynnen Quoit: Not a Tomb But a Temple?

Authored by Professor Charles Thomas, this article discusses the Carwynnen Quoit, a Neolithic monument in Cornwall. The monument, which had collapsed in 1948 and again in 1967, has undergone restoration. Unlike other Neolithic monuments in West Penwith, Carwynnen Quoit was likely never contained within a large mound or cairn. It is described as an 'open air' structure, where people could walk between the uprights and under the capstone, possibly leaving offerings. The article posits that it was not built as a burial mound but served as a religious monument or temple, akin to Stonehenge.

The area of Carwynnen is described as an upland sector of Cornwall's E-W ridge, characterized by standing stones, stone circles, and early field systems. The name 'Carwynnen' is Cornish for 'the light-coloured or granitic rocky hill'. The 'Frying Pan Field' nickname for the location is thought to date from the 16th-17th centuries, with the monument itself likely being called 'Cromlech' before then.

The restoration of Carwynnen Quoit, undertaken by the Sustainable Trust with support from Heritage Lottery grants, involved moving stones in September 2012 for excavation. This excavation identified post holes for the upright stones and a pavement of compacted stones. In October 2013, the first leg of the Quoit was re-erected, followed by the placement of the other two legs in May 2014. Kenny May, who had previously campaigned for the Quoit's re-erection, expressed his thrill at witnessing the restoration. The final placement of the capstone occurred in the summer of 2014.

Clodgy Moor Boat & Goddess Engraved Finds

Graham Hill recounts his arrival in Cornwall in 2003 and his subsequent engagement with the region's prehistoric landscape. Through field-walking, he and his partner David Edwards discovered a prehistoric landscape at Clodgy Moor, near Paul in West Cornwall. By 2011, he had amassed flints, worked stones, and later Neolithic pottery. A project was set up with Finds Liaison Officer Anna Tyacke and archaeologist Andy M. Jones to catalogue these finds, leading to the Clodgy Moor Project.

Among the catalogued finds was an inscribed slate plaque showing a boat with a mast. The author argues that the tools used to carve it left striated and braided scratches, suggesting it predates metal tools. A similar piece of engraved pottery, possibly showing a masted boat, was found on St. Agnes in the Isles of Scilly and dated to 1000-800 BCE, making the Clodgy Moor slate potentially as old or older.

In 2013, while examining ochre-related materials, the author discovered what he believes to be a stone shaped into a Goddess figurine. Research into dotted lozenge and other motifs on the boat slate led him to the work of archaeologist Marija Gimbutas, known for her discoveries of prehistoric Goddess figurines in 'Old Europe'. He also references recent Later Neolithic excavations in Orkney, Scotland, and household idols found there.

The Clodgy Moor Goddess stone is 42 mm tall, similar in size to 'The Westray Wifie' figurine from Orkney. It has an intensely scratched body, an enigmatic face with notches at the shoulders, and appears to have large eyes, a beak-like nose, and no mouth, resembling an owl. Red natural ochrous 'flowerlike' arms or wings are brought into relief by gouging. The stone features tiny scratched triangles and lozenges, with a yellow ochre head. The feldspar sheet is ground away to reveal a pubic triangle tinged red, with signs of diagonal hatched decoration. Anatomical sculpting is noted, and the back is stained red with vertical 'Gneiss' rock banding emphasized by flint tool grooving. A cross-hatch pattern is also present on the back. This combination of patterns is characteristic of other finds, such as The Woodcock Corner slate disc.

An enlarged image shows the ochre-stained owl-like head meeting the body. A black substance, possibly birch tar, may have been used as glue to affix something to make the face more realistic. MM editor Cheryl Straffon also examined the figurine and agreed it is a possible undiscovered Goddess figurine, an exciting 'first' for Cornwall.

Pathways to the Past 2014

This section reports on the 'Pathways to the Past' weekend, an annual event held at the end of May. Despite inclement weather, the 8th iteration was deemed a success. The weekend included a walk titled 'Where the ancestors lived' led by Cheryl Straffon and Lana Jarvis, visiting Mulfra Courtyard House settlement, Mulfra Hill, and Bodrifty settlement. David Giddings led a walk to Treryn Dinas cliff castle. An evening talk on 'The Neolithic farming revolution' was given by Paul Bonnington.

A key theme of the weekend was alignments to tors and hills, linking to beliefs about giants or spirits. Peter Herring gave a talk on 'Fixing a prehistoric gaze on Roughtor', discussing the work of the late Roger Farnworth. Adrian Rodda presented an acclaimed 'story walk' on Janey Tregear and the Spriggans, including visits to Chapel Euny wells, Carn Euny settlement, and Brane hill. Walks and talks were well-attended, with 40-50 people per event.

Contact information is provided for various organizations involved in heritage protection and site management, including the Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network (CASPN), Friends of Cornwall's Ancient Sites (FOCAS), and Lizard Ancient Sites Network (LAN).

The Roughtor Effect: 1: Fixing a Gaze

This article, an edited transcript of a talk by Peter Herring, focuses on the prehistoric remains in Cornwall, particularly on Bodmin Moor. The author emphasizes the coherence of remains such as round houses, enclosures, cairns, stone circles, and stone rows, inherited from the Bronze Age. Bodmin Moor is presented as a landscape where people gathered for various activities, showing relationships between features and how people remembered and associated with earlier peoples.

Roughtor is described as a beautiful hill with a complex landscape archaeology, featuring natural stacks and rock basins. Surrounding landscape features are oriented on Roughtor, such as a kerbed cairn and cist on Butterstor. The article mentions research on landscape design around Roughtor, including a Neolithic bank cairn used as a processional way, made of granite and quartz, and excavated by Time Team. This monument appears to have been made in three sections, each oriented on a cheesewring. Later, around 1500 BCE, people lived on Rough Tor, with numerous round houses placed on the slope to deliberately view the bank cairn built by their ancestors.

The article suggests that prehistoric peoples viewed places like Roughtor in a more sacred way, focusing on their connection to the landscape and ancestral monuments. The bank cairn might have been part of an initiation ceremony at a gathering place on the summit. The Tor enclosure is seen not as a defensive structure but as a gathering place for co-operation and special events like initiations. The cheesewrings are thought to have been perceived as constructions by giants or ancestors.

Another type of monument discussed is the Propped Stone, the first of which was found at Leskernick in 1994. A long cairn found on the same day pointed towards the propped stone. Calculations indicated that standing on the long cairn and looking at the propped stone at the midsummer solstice sunset would align with the sunset. In 1994, a clear sky allowed observation of the sun setting almost directly behind the stone, albeit with a slight misalignment. Data sent to the Royal Greenwich Observatory suggested that in 3700 BCE, a person on the long cairn would have seen the sun set perfectly behind the stone, a date consistent with many Neolithic monuments.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the deep history of Cornwall, with a strong emphasis on archaeological discoveries and interpretations of prehistoric and early medieval periods. The articles highlight the interconnectedness of ancient sites, the evolution of religious and artistic practices, and the ongoing efforts in preservation and restoration. The editorial stance appears to be one of scholarly inquiry, encouraging readers to appreciate the rich archaeological heritage of Cornwall and to engage with the ongoing research and conservation efforts. The magazine serves as a platform for disseminating findings from local archaeological projects and events, fostering a community interested in the region's past.

Meyn Mamvro, Issue 85, Autumn 2014, is a magazine focused on earth mysteries, archaeology, and local heritage in Cornwall, UK. The issue delves into ancient ritual sites, land rights, and historical connections.

Articles

The Propped Stone and Leskernick Hill

This section discusses the propped stone (or pseudo-quoit) as the earliest element of an alignment at Leskernick Hill, potentially dating to the Mesolithic period (8000-4500 BCE). The long mound was built in 3700 BCE to observe the midsummer sunset, with a stone circle added later in the early Bronze Age (1700 BCE). A barrow was also constructed, from which the propped stone is precisely visible when viewed from a specific point.

The article also mentions the 'Cannon Stone' on Carburrow Tor, which has a chamber beneath it with a natural slab resembling a bench. Sitting on this bench and looking through the 'window' created by the propped stone offers a framed view of Brown Willy and Rough Tor.

Photographs are credited to Peter Herring, Cathy Farnworth, and Chris Tilley. Part 2 of this article, 'Framing Meaning', is announced for the next issue.

Mapping the Sun at The Hurlers: The Results

This article reports on a joint project in Autumn 2013 involving archaeologists, geologists, and astronomers at The Hurlers stone circle on Bodmin Moor. The project, titled 'Mapping the Sun', followed up on previous investigations. The results, presented at a Day School, covered The Hurlers and surrounding monuments.

• Key findings include:
• The layout of the three circles at The Hurlers closely corresponds to Orion's Belt, suggesting deliberate astronomical alignment.
• The circles are surrounded by mineralised faults, confirming previous research linking stone circles to geological faultlines.
• The stones in the central and northern circles are made of different granites from various parts of Bodmin Moor, suggesting they might have been constructed at different times or by different groups.
• A 'Calendar Stone' in the central circle is thought to mark the position of the equinox sunrise over Kit Hill, allowing for shadow monitoring and seasonal predictions.
• Two outliers, 'The Pipers', may have formed a portal framing Stowe's Hill, possibly an entrance to the sacred complex.
• The possibility of a 4th circle, 21-23m in diameter with 7 stones, was mentioned. Viewing from this potential 4th circle aligns with a midsummer sunset over Brown Willy.

The Pavement, Stowe's Hill, and Stone Rows

• Further details about the archaeological sites are provided:
• The Pavement: Tools and artefacts from the Pavement, located between the central and northern circles, date back to the late Mesolithic period (approx. 4000 BCE), indicating the site was visited long before the circles were built (2000-1700 BCE). The 'Pyramid stone', a quartz boulder, is at its centre. The pavement stones differ from those in the circles and are unique in Cornwall, likely serving as a processional way.
• Stowe's Hill: Features a stonewalled enclosure with 80 platforms, possibly for huts, and two cairns positioned on an elvan dyke fault line.
• Stone Rows: Two stone rows, aligned NNW-SSE, were discovered northwest of the circles. The eastern has 9 stones, the western has 5, and both are aligned to Kilmar Tor. The entire area is described as a special sacred area.

Review: The Holy Wells Oracle

A review of 'The Holy Wells Oracle' by Helen Fox is included. This set consists of Oracle cards and an interpretation book, inspired by 120 holy wells in Cornwall. The cards are labelled with attributes like 'desire', 'peace', 'uplifting', and 'destiny'. The reviewer praises the set for its original idea, photographic quality, and its ability to deepen understanding of the wells and their associated qualities.

Historic Heritage and Common Land

Authored by Ian Cooke, this article discusses the campaign by the 'Save Penwith Moors' group to re-register areas of coastal and inland locations as 'common land'. The impetus for this campaign was the visually and physically intrusive new stock proofing of open access moorland, such as at Carnyorth Common.

What is Common Land?

England has over 370,000 hectares of registered common land. Historically, it was integral to manors, providing rights like grazing and collecting firewood. After WWII, many commons were neglected. The Commons Registration Act 1965 aimed to establish a register, but many applications faced objections. The Commons Act 2006 sought to correct errors, with a pilot scheme in seven counties, including Cornwall.

Re-registration requires evidence that the land was originally 'waste land of the manor' and is currently 'open', 'unoccupied', and 'uncultivated'.

Will it Make a Difference?

The article argues that existing protections like Scheduled Ancient Monument Act and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status have not prevented landscape damage. Registering land as common land would provide mandatory public consultation for future works, offering protection and accountability.

Why Have We Done This?

The moorland areas are vital physical and spiritual heartlands, popular recreational spots, and contain numerous ancient sites. 'Conservation grazing' has caused damage to archaeological monuments like Tregeseal Stone Circle and Mên-an-Tol. The campaign seeks to balance farming and public interests, giving the public a legal opportunity to input into environmental management.

Save Penwith Moors has successfully re-registered approximately 213 hectares. Future efforts aim to expand this legally protected area. The article lists common land applications made by the group, including Carn Galva, Chûn Downs, and Carnyorth Common.

20 and 10 Years Ago

• This section revisits past issues of Meyn Mamvro:
• MM24 (Summer 1994): Focused on the Cornish-Irish prehistoric connection, exploring similarities in ritual landscapes like Craddock Moor and Loughcrew, and solar alignments.
• MM54 (Summer 2004): Continued the theme with an article on 'Tin, copper and stone: stone circles in West Penwith and the Beara Peninsula'. It discussed Bronze Age links, copper from Ireland mixed with Cornish tin, and Irish gold ornaments found in Cornwall, such as the Morvah gold hoard.
• The section also compares Iron Age Irish souterrains with Cornish fogous, notes similarities in rock-carved labyrinths in Rocky Valley (Cornwall) and Hollywood (Ireland), and touches upon the folklore of fairy folk in both countries.

Other Sections

Exchange Magazines

A list of other magazines available for exchange or subscription, including 'Earth Mysteries', 'Touchstone', 'Society of Ley Hunters', 'Network of Ley Hunters', 'Rilko', 'The Cauldron', 'Quest', 'The Silver Wheel', 'Pagan Dawn', 'Dark Mirror', 'Pentacle', and 'Goddess Alive!' with their prices and contact details.

Meyn Mamvro Folders

Information on purchasing Meyn Mamvro folders to store magazines.

Meyn Mamvro Subscription and Back Issues

Details on subscribing to Meyn Mamvro (3 issues for £10.50) and ordering back numbers or photocopies (£3.50 each).

Noticeboard

• A comprehensive list of events, groups, and services related to earth mysteries, dowsing, paganism, and spiritual events in Cornwall and surrounding areas. This includes:
• West Cornwall Dowsers, Trencrom Dowsers, Tamar Dowsers.
• Ancient Sites Clear-Ups organised by Cornish Ancient Sites.
• Mind Body & Spirit Event in Newquay.
• Montol - Penzance's Winter Solstice Festival.
• Cornish School of Mysteries.
• Know Thy Self events.
• Healing Tree Centre.
• Falmouth Antiquarian & Arcane Book Group.
• Pagan Moots in various locations (Redruth, Bodmin, St. Austell, Liskeard).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on the rich prehistoric and historical landscape of Cornwall, particularly its archaeological sites, astronomical alignments, and folklore. There is a strong emphasis on local heritage and the importance of preserving these sites and traditions. The 'Historic Heritage and Common Land' article reveals a proactive stance on advocating for public access and protection of natural and historical landscapes against intrusive development and management practices. The editorial stance appears to be one of deep engagement with and advocacy for the preservation and understanding of Cornwall's unique heritage, often through a lens of earth mysteries and ancient wisdom.