Waun Mawn in its (highly selective) context. Attempts will be made to show that there was a gigantic stone circle at Waun Mawn, made up of stones imported from Carn Goedog (spotted dolerite), Rhosyfelin (foliated rhyolite), Cerrig Marchogion (unspotted dolerite) and Penygroes (Ordovician sandstones). The researchers will also try to show that this was a "proto-Stonehenge", built and then dismantled prior to shipping off to Salisbury Plain. The only reason for this hypothesis is the "disastrous inconvenience" of the radiocarbon dates obtained from Rhosyfelin and Carn Goedog. (Rust Family Foundation Report)
Sadly, we had to go to a funeral this afternoon, and our route took us past Tafarn y Bwlch. The quarrymen are back, encamped alongside the track that leads from the cattle grid up to Gernos Fach. Portaloo, a minibus, a van and a few cars. Maybe a smaller and more specialised group than in previous years?
Let's hope they get good weather and are able to do some useful work -- goodness knows, the moorland of Waun Mawn is chock-full of interesting things, as you can see if you put "Waun Mawn" into the search box.
As Tony reminds us, I did a post on this back in May, following the publication of the 2017 report for the funding organization.
Thanks to Tony for discovering this publication, from the Rust Family Foundation (Archaeology Grants Program) Ref RFF-2017-23:
www.rfamfound1.org/proj23find.html
Back in May, I had major concerns following the publication of that extraordinary map, which I reproduce again at the head of this post.
Well before the commencement of 2018 fieldwork, the announcement had been made that there would be discoveries made relating to the link between Brynberian and Stonehenge. From the Rust Family Foundation report: Further research is planned for 2018 to confirm that Waun Mawn is a giant stone circle. Not much doubt there as to what is intended.......
There are serious signs already of an affliction related to tunnel vision. Apparently the MPP team members, on their previous visit, were blissfully unaware of the presence of large dolerite outcrops a hundred metres or so from where they were standing....... Apparently they had not bothered to look at a geological map or to walk over the terrain. Nor had they noticed that the standing stones on Waun Mawn are all local, picked up and used more or less where found. That does not inspire confidence.
There are serious signs already of an affliction related to tunnel vision. Apparently the MPP team members, on their previous visit, were blissfully unaware of the presence of large dolerite outcrops a hundred metres or so from where they were standing....... Apparently they had not bothered to look at a geological map or to walk over the terrain. Nor had they noticed that the standing stones on Waun Mawn are all local, picked up and used more or less where found. That does not inspire confidence.
So we shall see what transpires......
Meanwhile back in Wiltshire, the Wiltshire History Centre is purchasing copies of "The Stonehenge Bluestones", Brian's June 2018 book, for both the Council Archaeologists and the great British and Wiltshire Public to read.
ReplyDeleteThe Stonehenge Visitor Centre already is selling Brian's latest book to its visitors from all over the world.
A victory for Science and logical thinking...... but a blow for those who prefer fantasy over fact.
Surely, the worldwide appetite for all things Stonehenge doesn't demand fantastic tales of daring - do from our Prehistoric ancestors, compulsively carting (without the Wheel) bluestones all the 180 miles from Preseli to the location for Stonehenge way back when? Wouldn't the tourists and the punters continue to visit Stonehenge, REGARDLESS of the distance the bluestones were moved? What are the archaeologists and the Visitor Centre staff frightened of? I doubt very much that they would be "tipping the baby out with the bath water". As Elton John (Brian's 2nd cousin) sang in THAT song about Marilyn Monroe/ Lady Diana, the legend is bigger than intricate details. Have more self - confidence and consider the scientific method more too, folks!
Thanks for the news that Wilts is getting some copies of the book! News to me -- I must check with the Welsh Books Council to see if an order has come through.......
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that a narrative for the bluestones that involves glaciers is just as attractive as anything dreamed up by MPP and his merry band -- and has the advantage of increasing people's faith in science and the scientific method.
I suppose we can look forward to more despoiled landscape and no reports. Whoever is allowing these annual acts of vandalism should have a statue erected in his or her dishonour. By now we should know that nothing that disputes the ruling theory will ever see the light of day.
ReplyDeleteI recall taking a photo on my site still of many many white plastic buckets containing scrapings from rhos-y-felin years ago. No report or analysis ever crossed my desk. Brian can download and use the image if he chooses - it speaks volumes. MPP believes himself entitled to destroy another interesting area of Welsh history to try and prove his increasingly incredible hypothesis. Somebody should call a halt.
I stopped believing in the benefit of the doubt. Leave whatever is in the ground in the ground until a more worthwhile generation with better science wants to take a look
Hear, hear, Chris.
ReplyDeleteBrian, the Librarian who is ordering your books has, I think, just returned from leave, so will be in process of placing her orders around now.
On the general subject of books on the "Bluestones" Issue, I would contend that truth may well be stranger than fiction - particularly if the "Stranger", i.e. the collection of many varieties of exotic stones, has travelled all the way from South West Wales by courtesy of the immense power of the forces of Nature.
In these days of Global Warming, Climate Change, catastrophic regional floods, etc etc, surely there is an increased awareness of the immense powers of Nature.
ReplyDelete