But the NPA does itself no favours by constantly flagging up the so-called mystical link with Stonehenge. When Tomos Jones, the NPA archaeologist, says ""There are regular problems with fires on what are remote sites in the Preseli Hills, where we now know stones for Stonehenge were cut" he is over-egging the pudding, because we do NOT know that stones were "cut" from the hills at all. That is a myth perpetrated, without adequate supporting research, by certain archaeologists. If the NPA does that sort of irresponsible marketing of the hills, deliberately enhancing the "value" of the stones from specific locations, they should not be surprised if some silly people want go up there and get a bit of the action.......
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51872715
Plans to tackle heritage crime have been extended to protect historic sites across Wales.
Archaeologists, national park officials and Dyfed-Powys Police officers were due to hold a meeting at the weekend to discuss concerns about vandalism.
The conference was cancelled because of coronavirus fears but was due to identify areas at risk of damage and offer training to protect remote sites.
Police, Cadw wardens and park rangers will regularly patrol sites.
There are thousands of heritage sites around Wales, ranging from stone age monuments to World War Two buildings.Incidents include the daubing of a Neolithic burial chamber with animal blood and bluestone fragments from rocks linking Pembrokeshire with Stonehenge being sold online.
A heritage watch scheme was launched by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park two years ago.
Dyfed Archaeological Trust and Dyfed-Powys Police have also joined the scheme, establishing a team of 10 officers trained in dealing with reports of crimes at monuments.
'These monuments cannot be replaced'
Tomos Jones, archaeologist for the Pembrokeshire Coast National park says the types of crimes which threaten the sites were extremely varied.
"At Pentre Ifan we found daubing using animal blood - possibly the result of some ritual," he said.
'International significance'
"There are regular problems with fires on what are remote sites in the Preseli Hills, where we now know stones for Stonehenge were cut.
"There have been cases of people chipping away the remaining bluestones and damaging cairns.
"Some of the bluestone fragments have appeared on eBay."
Insp Reuben Palin, Dyfed-Powys Police lead for heritage crime, said: "We are fortunate to have a number of ancient monuments and archaeological sites in our force area that are of immense national and international significance, and attract visitors from across the world.
"These monuments cannot be replaced, and it is part of our duty to ensure they are protected."
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Historic Welsh sites to be protected by vandalism patrols
• 16 March 2020https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-51872715
Plans to tackle heritage crime have been extended to protect historic sites across Wales.
Archaeologists, national park officials and Dyfed-Powys Police officers were due to hold a meeting at the weekend to discuss concerns about vandalism.
The conference was cancelled because of coronavirus fears but was due to identify areas at risk of damage and offer training to protect remote sites.
Police, Cadw wardens and park rangers will regularly patrol sites.
There are thousands of heritage sites around Wales, ranging from stone age monuments to World War Two buildings.Incidents include the daubing of a Neolithic burial chamber with animal blood and bluestone fragments from rocks linking Pembrokeshire with Stonehenge being sold online.
A heritage watch scheme was launched by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park two years ago.
Dyfed Archaeological Trust and Dyfed-Powys Police have also joined the scheme, establishing a team of 10 officers trained in dealing with reports of crimes at monuments.
'These monuments cannot be replaced'
Tomos Jones, archaeologist for the Pembrokeshire Coast National park says the types of crimes which threaten the sites were extremely varied.
"At Pentre Ifan we found daubing using animal blood - possibly the result of some ritual," he said.
'International significance'
"There are regular problems with fires on what are remote sites in the Preseli Hills, where we now know stones for Stonehenge were cut.
"There have been cases of people chipping away the remaining bluestones and damaging cairns.
"Some of the bluestone fragments have appeared on eBay."
Insp Reuben Palin, Dyfed-Powys Police lead for heritage crime, said: "We are fortunate to have a number of ancient monuments and archaeological sites in our force area that are of immense national and international significance, and attract visitors from across the world.
"These monuments cannot be replaced, and it is part of our duty to ensure they are protected."
4 comments:
Quite right, the NPA archaeologist IS over - egging the pudding. No evidence of "cutting" at all. The marketing men have been having a field day - with the collaboration of Rob Ixer and his Cardiff - based mate Mr Bevins, and, of course, a certain MPP.
Tonight, on Radio 3, at 10.45 in a series called "The Essay: Higher Thoughts and the Meaning of Welsh Mountains", 5 0f 5 [this week] is The Preseli Mountains.
"Jon Gower explores the mystical Preseli range of mountains, the highest of which - Foel Cwmcerwyn - stands tall enough to have guided the sailors of west Wales safely to shore."
Thanks Tony. And thanks for the note re that prog -- I shall have a listen, with some foreboding. We might well get a full dose of mystical mumbo jumbo....... land of mystery and enchantment and all that sort of stuff.....
Sloppy
"Mr Bevins" is of course Prof. R.E.Bevins BSc, PhD, C.Geol, FSA, FGS. So as a minimum Dr Bevins.
'Mr Ixer'
Oh, don't let's get caught up in obsessing about titles and qualifications. Some quite ordinary folks are rather erudite, and some professors are (and were, in the good old days) complete idiots -- their reputations should be based on what they say, and whether their ideas withstand scrutiny.
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