Off the beaten track lies this
stone circle in the Duddon Valley. I think this one is technically, or should I say archaeologically, a ring cairn which also serve a ceremonial purpose and were constructed in the Bronze Age between about 2000 and 1000BC. This is its most
simple form. Their location in the landscape is important and I would think the its position in relation to the hill is
significant. There are records of about 118 sites within the Lake District National Park which fall into two groups those on the lower fells and ones like this one much higher up and more isolated. What they all have in common is that they are positioned so there are
spectacular landscape views from the
site but the circles themselves are not easy to see from a distance.
especially when the bracken is all around.
or when you are sitting in the sun and try to record some skylarks only they stop singing.
Walking on this path with views over the estuary one would never guess there was a
small but perfectly formed
stone circle nearby. Put on that
Superman uniform fly over the estuary into the distance and land on
a larger
stone circle made of limestone and known locally the Druid's Circle. Unusual because it is concentric and consists of this inner circle of 12
stones and a wider outer circle of 20 which are hidden in the bracken (one or two barley visible in this photo). There are only 30 concentric
stone circles in the whole of Britain, the most famous of which is
Stonehenge. The 'Druid's Circle' was excavated in 1911 and 1921 and proved that the circles enclosed a paved area covering burials dated by the type of urn found as the late Bronze Age. Generally archaeologists suggest that burial is not the primary function and when it does take place it was after the stone circle had been in use for some time.
Water is often associated with stone circles, it is known to have strong ritual or ceremonial significance and here on Birkrigg Common the stones are set overlooking Morecambe Bay. Ideal for looking at
spectacular sunsets. Just below is the village of Bardsea and the church steeple.
An entry to
ABC Wednesday. A journey through the alphabet which has reached the letter S.
12 comments:
What a most intriquing post and wonderful photography ~ (A Creative Harbor)
These are fascinating and must be in many areas in Britain. I know there's one at least up on the downs at Rhossili, Wales, too. I'd love to go on a walking tour around the Lake District and see some!
Leslie
abcw team
something mysteriously powerful about those STONES
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Wonderful shots of historical landscape.
I like this post indeed
PhenoMenon, ABCW Team
Thanks for the tour! The Lake District is so beautiful and I did not know before that there were any stone circles...
I didn't know the circles were also burial places but it doesn't surprise me.
Beautiful and evocative. These circles are fascinating in a way that draws me toward them even in photos. I have visited a few in the Northern part of the UK and found them to be full of energy (which may have been my own excitement at being there!).
Fascinating post. Thanks for sharing.
very cool - I studied the ritual use of labyrinths in college, and so stone circles hold much delight for me - thanks for sharing, loved this post!
Great photos! You are so lucky to have these monuments near you and be able to visit them often. We explored some when we were in the UK years ago... and found a barrow with our name!
To one from far away (me) these things seem very strange Joy. Do you feel anything religious or emotional about these stones? - Dave
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