[Stones] Stack of rocks near Lostwithiel

[The Wissers]

Lovely place!

About the "collecting pool," I don't know whether it was done over 
there, but here rocks like that, especially where there is a far view 
from where they stand, were considered very auspicious and often were 
thought to have special powers. Therefore, shaman healers or medicine 
people would bring their herbs at certain times of year or times when 
they were specially needed and grind them on these sacred rocks as in a 
mortar, hoping to incorporate into the mix those qualities of the stones 
and the place. The practice of this over time created indentations like 
that. Not that it couldn't very well be something else, but that spot 
would be a likely one for such a mortar over here.

Nancy

Andy Burnham wrote:

>Interesting 'site' posted yesterday in Cornwall at SX12755851
>The 'carving' looks like natural water erosion to me but I could be
>wrong. Any thoughts Andy N or others?
>
>http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=18135
>
>Our contributor writes:
>
>The stack of rocks is about 100 m to the N E of the chimney stack of old
>quarry works at Carbilly Tor. Easy to reach but difficult and dangerous
>to climb onto the capstone.
>
>The stack of rocks is about 10 metres high and looks man made but not
>contemporary with the quarry works. Much more ancient. The carving in
>the capstone is well weathered but plainly has left a relief of a
>phallic symbol. There is a drainaway on S W side of relief leading to
>vertical groove down supporting rock. In the baserock below is a
>collection pool; collecting what I wonder! The stack is pierced through
>and looking from the opposite hill on St Breward road; S W; there
>appears a perfect cross in the stack. This started as a light hearted
>search for info but so far I have not found anyone aware of the carvings
>or of the rock. Made enquiries with Bodmin Historical Society at St
>Breward, we also contacted chief druid of Cornwall. No reference in any
>books we have seen. As we are a theatre group doing an Arthurian play we
>are referring to it as Arthur's Sword in the stone. Apologies but would
>like to know correct name. Aquanought.
>
>
>I tried looking the location up on TMA to see if you had it over there
>but the search box doesn't seem to accept grid refs like ours does. I
>could have sworn TMA used to do this, and a search by nearest postcode /
>town...?
>(On the Portal you can search by putting a UK, USA or German postcode in
>the Search box)
>Cheers
>Andy
>
>  
>