How much do we know about Stonehenge? Less than we think. And what has Stonehenge got to do with the Ice Age? More than we might think. This blog is mostly devoted to the problems of where the Stonehenge bluestones came from, and how they got from their source areas to the monument. Now and then I will muse on related Stonehenge topics which have an Ice Age dimension...
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Sunday 5 July 2015
Men at work
One of my favourite Stonehenge photos! From the EH Atkinson collection. Wandering about like that on top of the lintels would never be allowed these days! Does anybody know who the people are?
I thought you wanted to discourage musical references. One source (Sic) for the goose EH. The little chap in the bobble hat is perhaps a master builder from the Cameroons. When it is cold ie less than 40C such bobble hats are everywhere in West Africa. M
Stuart Piggott, in white, kneels down to examine the weathered lock-joint between Lintels 101 & 102.
They were checking to make sure that when Hawley straightened the four Aperture Stones in 1920 he'd re-set the Lintels properly. This was in 1953, and the team led by Atkinson was in the process of reviewing all the previous 'restorations' to ensure that what had been done had been done correctly. No Stone was left unturned! (Sorry ...)
Unlike many of the pictures in which he appears - yet are still attributed to him - Atkinson actually did take this one.
The one on the left is obviously, by his height, from Weston - Super - Mare.
This incident is mentioned in John Cleese's autobiography: it's his Dad, who famously lost his sense of humour completely during this attempt at a 'Walking the Plank As Far From the Sea As Possible' World Record in the 1950's.
Several Irishmen, sadly, lost their lives a few years later, attempting a similar feat on the sharp part of an Egyptian Pyramid.
The bloke on the extreme right is an intruder, who later became a highly - paid Escapologist.
He had somehow broken through the security ropes surrounding the "Old Ruin" at a time long before any rope had ever been placed there to stop intruders.
He was awarded the C.B.E. for his efforts on behalf of Surrealism by Prime Minister and former War Leader Sir Winston Churchill, then in his dotage.
Appearances can be deceiving. These chaps were actually doing this "On Their Holidays". It was later memorialised in a song of the late '60's a few may remember.
The way is up Along the road The air is growing thin Too many friends who tried Were blown off this mountain with the wind
Meet on the ledge We're gonna meet on the ledge When my time is up I'm gonna see all my friends....
I think it was a rather delayed 20th Century reaction to the 19th Century Crimean War Battle of Balaclava, when the said head - piece proved inadequate to withstand heavy gunfire.
I thought you wanted to discourage musical references.
ReplyDeleteOne source (Sic) for the goose EH.
The little chap in the bobble hat is perhaps a master builder from the Cameroons.
When it is cold ie less than 40C such bobble hats are everywhere in West Africa.
M
Is Atkinson the one with the pipe? The one with the macintosh and trilby is obviously the Clerk of Works from the local council.....
ReplyDeleteStuart Piggott, in white, kneels down to examine the weathered lock-joint between Lintels 101 & 102.
ReplyDeleteThey were checking to make sure that when Hawley straightened the four Aperture Stones in 1920 he'd re-set the Lintels properly. This was in 1953, and the team led by Atkinson was in the process of reviewing all the previous 'restorations' to ensure that what had been done had been done correctly.
No Stone was left unturned!
(Sorry ...)
Unlike many of the pictures in which he appears - yet are still attributed to him - Atkinson actually did take this one.
Neil
The one on the left is obviously, by his height, from Weston - Super - Mare.
ReplyDeleteThis incident is mentioned in John Cleese's autobiography: it's his Dad, who famously lost his sense of humour completely during this attempt at a 'Walking the Plank As Far From the Sea As Possible' World Record in the 1950's.
Several Irishmen, sadly, lost their lives a few years later, attempting a similar feat on the sharp part of an Egyptian Pyramid.
The bloke on the extreme right is an intruder, who later became a highly - paid Escapologist.
ReplyDeleteHe had somehow broken through the security ropes surrounding the "Old Ruin" at a time long before any rope had ever been placed there to stop intruders.
He was awarded the C.B.E. for his efforts on behalf of Surrealism by Prime Minister and former War Leader Sir Winston Churchill, then in his dotage.
Appearances can be deceiving. These chaps were actually doing this "On Their Holidays". It was later memorialised in a song of the late '60's a few may remember.
ReplyDeleteThe way is up
Along the road
The air is growing thin
Too many friends who tried
Were blown off this mountain with the wind
Meet on the ledge
We're gonna meet on the ledge
When my time is up I'm gonna see all my friends....
Thanks Neil -- I knew somebody would know!!
ReplyDeleteCan anyone confirm when it was made mandatory that 'hard hats' replaced balaclavas, a silly decision, but there we are?
ReplyDeleteI think it was a rather delayed 20th Century reaction to the 19th Century Crimean War Battle of Balaclava, when the said head - piece proved inadequate to withstand heavy gunfire.
ReplyDelete