Loss of Heritage

An ancient stone circle in a field of golden grass with a vibrant blue sky above.

O Thou, to whom in the olden times was raised
Yon ample Mound, not fashion’d to display
An artful structure, but with better skill
Piled massive, to endure through many an age,
How simple, how majestic is thy tomb!
When temples and when palaces shall fall,
And mighty cities moulder into dust,
When to their deep foundations Time shall shake
The strong-based pyramids, shall thine remain
Amid the general ruin unsubdued,
Uninjured as the everlasting hills,
And mock the feeble power of storms and Time.

William Crowe (1788)
Silbury Hill

Ancient sites like stone circles and quoits are plentiful in Cornwall, but their purpose remains unknown. While we may speculate, the true significance of these monuments can never be fully deciphered. Some are believed to be burial chambers, while others may have served as ancient calendars or communal gathering places. Many were constructed to align precisely with the sun and moon.

The Merry Maidens stone circle is steeped in legend: according to one tale,19 young women were petrified as punishment for dancing in a field on the Sabbath. However, this story emerged long after the Neolithic stone circle's construction, leaving its true purpose uncertain. It is commonly theorised to have been used for ceremonies, with the 19 stones possibly relating to the 19-year lunar cycle.

Despite being one of the most well-known monuments in Cornwall, Lanyon Quoit is one of the least authentic. After collapsing in a storm in 1815, it was incorrectly restored in the wrong position in 1824, with the capstone placed onto three shortened uprights instead of the original four. Though restored with the best intentions, the grandeur of Lanyon Quoit as it stood for millennia has been permanently diminished. With time, we have not only lost the knowledge and wisdom of the ancient builders but also a significant part of our heritage.

Fig. 2 - Balanced Quoit. A seemingly precariously balanced, yet sturdy, ancient dolmen against a field of white grass and a dark orange sky.

Fig. 3 - Ancient Burial Site. This quoit is believed to be a Neolithic tomb, and stands proud within an otherwise empty field of white.

Fig. 4 - Ding Dong Through the Window. The engine house for Ding Dong Mine stands atop a distant white hill, seen through the pillars of the imposing megalith, Lanyon Quoit.

Fig. 5 - The Merry Maidens. A series of standing stones stretch across a golden field in a perfect curve, as if they were frozen while dancing.

Poetry:

Silbury Hill - William Crowe (1788)

Locations:

Fig. 1, 5 - The Merry Maidens Stone Circle, Penzance.

Fig. 2-4 - Lanyon Quoit, Madron.

References:

Cornish Ancient Sites - Merry Maidens Stone Circle.

Cornish Ancient Sites - Lanyon Quoit.