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<< Our Photo Pages >> The Hurlers - Stone Circle in England in Cornwall

Submitted by MikeAitch on Thursday, 27 April 2023  Page Views: 54799

Neolithic and Bronze AgeSite Name: The Hurlers Alternative Name: Hurlers
Country: England County: Cornwall Type: Stone Circle
Nearest Town: Liskeard  Nearest Village: Minions
Map Ref: SX25837140  Landranger Map Number: 201
Latitude: 50.516409N  Longitude: 4.45811W
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
 3 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
 4 Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
 5 Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
 5

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External Links:

I have visited· I would like to visit

43559959 hengedweller74 jimstone whese001 Monocular71 rrmoser would like to visit

ajmp3003 visited on 1st Jan 2027 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

wildtalents visited on 4th Jul 2023 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 4 Had previously visited The Hurlers probably 18-20 years before, and was grateful that the day-long rain finally died down to a mere drizzle by the time I made it to the site. A lot of stones have disappeared but the two main rings are reasonably intact and the Pipers likewise.

hallsifer visited on 3rd Jul 2021 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 3 Access: 4 Visited during an overcast day, but still an impressive site. Lots of sheep about which are cute but also a reason to mind where you step. The site is accessible via a footpath and has a car park close by in the town of Minions.

Richard13 visited on 1st Jul 2018 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

SandyG visited on 23rd Jun 2017 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

Billythefish visited on 24th Aug 2016 - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 4

lichen visited on 1st Sep 2015 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

NickyD visited on 21st Aug 2015 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 4

markj99 visited on 7th Mar 2013 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4 It would be unthinkable to visit Minions without a short stroll to the mysterious Hurlers Stone Circles followed by a Cream Tea.

ModernExplorers visited on 21st Dec 2012 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 3 Three great stone circles, that are allegedly in alignment with the starts of Orion

jeffrep visited on 19th May 2011 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 4 Access: 4

ravinbex visited on 18th Nov 2007 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 5

Psy1968 visited on 4th Jul 2002 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

graemefield visited on 27th Jun 1998 - their rating: Cond: 3 Amb: 5 Access: 4

BolshieBoris visited on 1st Aug 1997 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 4 Access: 4

bluevixen visited - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4

lucasn visited - their rating: Cond: 5 Amb: 5 Access: 4

hevveh Ergler celticmaiden55 Bladup myf AngieLake JimChampion TimPrevett cazzyjane ArchAstro mark_a have visited here

Average ratings for this site from all visit loggers: Condition: 3.65 Ambience: 4.41 Access: 4

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by Bladup : The Hurlers and the Sun. (Vote or comment on this photo)
On the wild plain of Bodmin Moor is found an unusual site - three stone circles close together. They lie on a NNE-SSW line, but are not the same size. The name "The Hurlers" refers to an old tradition that the circles are men turned to stone for playing Hurling on the sabbath.

The smallest and most southerly is 32m (105 feet) across the central circle is 42m (137 feet) SSE-NNW by 40.5 (133 feet), while the northern circle is 34.7m (114 feet) across. Nine, seventeen and sixteen stones respectively survive; they were carefully erected so that they all appear the same height.

Uncommonly, the stones of the central circle were smoothed by hammering, the crystals from the breakages being spread over the interior of the central circle. The tallest stones are at the south in the two northernmost circles.

97.5m (320 feet) to the WSW of the central circle are two standing stones called The Pipers. They lie WSW-ENE of one another, spaced 2.1m (7 feet) apart. One is 1.7m (5 feet 5 inches) tall, the other 1.4m (4 feet 9 inches).

As William Camden wrote in 1587: "The neighbouring inhabitants terme them Hurlers, as being by devout and godly error perswaded that they had been men sometime transformed into stones, for profaning the Lord's Day with hurling the ball."

Access: Well signposted. Car park in village of Minions.

2017: Reading the Hurlers project find new monument, a large recumbent stone, but no fourth stone circle. See the most recent comments on our page for more

The triple stone circles of the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor are discussed, talking about the pathway, the circles and their links to the night sky. Video with Carolyn Kennett, archaeologist Jacky Novakoski and astronomer Brian Sheen. Linked from the comments on our page

Note: Secrets of the Stones Video Talks, with Cheryl Straffon and Carolyn Kennett, watch via the links from our page, also see our Tregeseal page for video and audio tours from Carolyn around that ancient landscape
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The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by wayland : Middle-earth Gallery Fog on the Barrow-Downs. Fellowship of the Ring Book One Chapter VIII Three stone circles almost in the shadow of two tin mines. (11 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by wayland : The Hurlers in Cornwall (4 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by mikeaitch : Hurlers summer solstice sunrise 2011. Weather forecast wasn't good but luckily as the sun rose there was a 5 minute gap in the clouds! :) (12 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by Bladup : The Hurlers. This Original Artwork in a glass frame has now sold, A limited (to a 100) edition print in a 8" x 10" glass frame would be £19.99 + £2.90 postage, E-mail me at paul.blades@rocketmail.com if interested. (5 comments - Vote or comment on this photo)

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by mikeaitch : An incredibly beautiful and peaceful solstice sunrise was observed by around 50 people (and 2 dogs) at The Hurlers, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. Conditions were very atmospheric with low lying mist being pierced by the rising sun.

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by Bladup : The Hurlers.

The Hurlers causeway
The Hurlers causeway submitted by Bladup : Looking at the causeway from the South, You can see the stones of the Northern circle in this photo, In the other direction the causeway points directly towards the center stone of the central circle. (5 comments)

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by wayland : The Hurlers in Cornwall (2 comments)

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by Bladup : The Hurlers.

The Hurlers Pipers
The Hurlers Pipers submitted by cazzyjane : First noted by W C Borlase in 1869 but surprisingly not mentioned by his great grandfather Dr Borlase after his visit to the hurlers in the mid 1700's. (2 comments)

The Hurlers causeway
The Hurlers causeway submitted by Bladup : The causeway from the North.

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by cromagnonman : Fire of the Ancients I love it when a gap in the clouds comes along just at the right time! CAMERA INFO Camera Canon EOS 450D Lens Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 Focal Length 10.0 mm Aperture f/22 Exposure Time 1s ISO 100 Date Taken 2021-10-10 07:54:21

The Hurlers causeway
The Hurlers causeway submitted by Bladup : The granite "causeway" inbetween the Northern and central circles at the Hurlers.

The Hurlers causeway
The Hurlers causeway submitted by Bladup : Looking at the "Causeway" over a stone of the central circle at the Hurlers.

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by jeffrep : The Hurlers and one of the many horses roaming the Moor near the village of Minions in Cornwall. (2 comments)

The Hurlers Summer Solstice 2010
The Hurlers Summer Solstice 2010 submitted by MikeAitch : Northern Circle

The Hurlers causeway
The Hurlers causeway submitted by Bladup : A shaft of light points to the causeway at the wonderful Hurlers.

The Hurlers causeway
The Hurlers causeway submitted by Bladup : The "causeway" from the North [Does it look like it maybe once carried on?].

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by Bladup : The Hurlers.

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by Bladup (2 comments)

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by Bladup : The Hurlers and Sun. (2 comments)

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by Bladup : After sunset at the Hurlers

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by Bladup : The Hurlers.

The Hurlers
The Hurlers submitted by JimChampion : Stones in the central Hurlers circle - the most complete one of the three. The engine house in the background is now home to the Minions Heritage Centre.

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Nearby sites listing. In the following links * = Image available
 14m SW 223° The Hurlers (C)* Stone Circle (SX25827139)
 20m N 358° The Hurlers causeway* Ancient Trackway (SX25837142)
 51m N 9° The Hurlers (N)* Stone Circle (SX25847145)
 73m SSW 194° The Hurlers (S)* Stone Circle (SX25817133)
 130m WSW 245° The Hurlers Pipers* Standing Stones (SX25717135)
 194m N 10° The Hurlers North* Stone Circle (SX25877159)
 314m S 187° Minions Platform Round Barrow* Cairn (SX25787109)
 332m SE 145° Minions Mound* Round Barrow(s) (SX26017112)
 469m N 350° The Hurlers Avenue* Multiple Stone Rows / Avenue (SX2576371864)
 544m NNE 18° Rillaton Barrow* Round Barrow(s) (SX26027191)
 575m NNE 15° Rillaton N Cairn* Cairn (SX26007195)
 621m NE 35° Minions Settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement (SX262719)
 692m WSW 256° Minions Round Cairns* Round Cairn (SX25157126)
 695m SW 236° Minions Kerbed Cairn Cairn (SX25247103)
 772m WSW 239° Minions Bronze Age round cairn. Cairn (SX25157103)
 794m WSW 243° Trewalla Farm Settlement* Ancient Village or Settlement (SX25117106)
 823m SSW 214° Minions Cairns Cairn (SX25357073)
 898m SSW 197° The Long Stone (Minions)* Standing Stone (Menhir) (SX25547055)
 982m WNW 303° Craddock Moor platform cairn* Cairn (SX25027196)
 991m N 355° The Cheesewring* Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature (SX25787239)
 1.0km WNW 292° Craddock Moor circle* Stone Circle (SX24877183)
 1.1km N 355° Stowe's Pound* Ancient Village or Settlement (SX25787247)
 1.4km NW 307° Craddock Moor Stone Setting* Standing Stones (SX24747227)
 1.5km W 269° Craddock Moor Cairn Cemetery* Barrow Cemetery (SX2435071429)
 1.5km ESE 115° Caradon Hill cairns* Barrow Cemetery (SX272707)
View more nearby sites and additional images

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Cornovia: Ancient Sites of Cornwall and Scilly, Craig Weatherhill

Cornovia: Ancient Sites of Cornwall and Scilly, Craig Weatherhill

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Megalithic Mysteries by Andy Burnham

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"The Hurlers" | Login/Create an Account | 71 News and Comments
  
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Secrets of the Stones Video Talks, with Cheryl Straffon and Carolyn Kennett by Andy B on Thursday, 27 April 2023
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SECRETS OF THE STONES - Watching the Sun
In conjuction with the winter solstice, author Cheryl Straffon presented a talk to be inspired by and imagine how our ancestors connected with the sun in Cornwall. Cheryl has worked tirelessly to protect and promote the prehistoric sites of West Penwith and has
has produced and edited the long-running pagan-orientated earth mysteries magazine magazine Meyn Mamvro https://www.meynmamvro.co.uk

View a video of the talk here


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns3zr99iYKc

The second of four 'Secrets of the Stones' talks is from Archeaoastronomer and author Carolyn Kennett.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09PPPxqdTq8

Printed booklet:
WATCHING THE SUN - How the Ancients connected with the Sun in Cornwall
Edited by Carolyn Kennett and Cheryl Straffon
Contributions by Ian Cooke, Robin Heath, Lana Jarvis, Carolyn Kennett, Calum MacIntosh, Caeia March and Cheryl Straffon

From articles in Meyn Mamvro, with new colour photographs. Available as a printed booklet here: https://www.meynmamvro.co.uk/orders.php
[ Reply to This ]

Proposed alignment with Orion at The Hurlers by Andy B on Saturday, 24 April 2021
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Brian Sheen (Roseland Observatory, Cornwall, UK) next reviewed some world-famous archaeological sites with confirmed solar or other astronomical alignments before moving on to his own work on sites at Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, UK. He included a demonstration of the suspected close correlation that exists there between the three megalithic stone circles that comprise “The Hurlers” and the prominent belt stars of Orion. Also shown was a workshop for primary-school children undertaken within “The Hurlers” which highlights the solstice and equinox sunrise and sunset directions in relation to the architecture of the monuments. Validating Daniel Brown’s earlier concept of the “outdoor laboratory”, Sheen explained how the monuments and the local topography could be profitably used to explain complex concepts such as precession and lunar/solar cycles.

The presentation closed with a view (window) through a “propped stone”, one of many to be found in west Cornwall. A nearby tor (hill or peak) can be seen in this window and the alignment seems to mark the setting Sun at the equinoxes. This, he suggested, could be indicative of a link between the solar cycle and these monuments.

From: CONFERENCE REVIEW ‘’The Astronomy in Skyscapes - Archaeoastronomy beyond Alignments’’. Full day session at the National Astronomy Meeting, University of Nottingham (United Kingdom), 27th June–1st July, 2016
Frank Prendergast, Technological University Dublin

Journal of Skyscape Archaeology, 2017, Vol.3, Issue 1, pp. 136–141
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/arastart/4/
or
https://arrow.tudublin.ie/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=arastart
or
https://journals.equinoxpub.com/index.php/JSA/article/viewFile/33308/pdf
[ Reply to This ]

The Hurlers, Carolyn Kennett, archaeologist Jacky Novakoski, astronomer Brian Sheen by Andy B on Wednesday, 01 April 2020
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The Hurlers Cornwall with Carolyn Kennett, archaeologist Jacky Novakoski and astronomer Brian Sheen

The enigmatic triple stone circles of the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor Cornwall are discussed talking about the pathway, the circles and their links to the night sky. This is a Royal Astronomical Society #RAS200 funded video made for Cornwall Sea to Stars as part of their Astronomy History outreach program.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrDTZhTuPZs

[ Reply to This ]

Re: The Hurlers by Anonymous on Monday, 22 July 2019
The Hurlers circles lie on the St. Michael alignment but also on a geometric solstice alignment that starts at Tintagel Castle & runs through Rough Tor, Brown Willy, The Hurlers, Caradon Hill, Plymouth Sound etc. & ends up at le Dolmen du Couperon in Jersey.
Both alignments are studied & followed by satellite in the following link;
https://ancientwhisperspenwith.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-st-michaelmary-alignment-my.html
[ Reply to This ]

Video by lucasn on Thursday, 14 June 2018
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A video just over 2 minutes long of The Hurlers Stone Circle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtPkq4fO4Y0&t=11s
[ Reply to This ]

Bodmin Moor – Stone Row Survey by Andy B on Sunday, 12 November 2017
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On 3rd June 2017, Reading The Hurlers, along with members of the Saltash U3A geology group and Cornwall Archaeology Unit, spent the day surveying and recording potential Stone Row alignments identified North West of the Hurlers circles.

The survey including plotting stone positions with GPS, whilst measuring and sketching 3 rows of stones. The geology group conducted a Magnetometry survey of the area, to measure and map possible patterns of magnetism in the soil.

Source:
https://www.facebook.com/ReadingtheHurlers/
[ Reply to This ]

Reading the Hurlers project to dig the potential 'Fourth Circle' on the moor by Andy B on Thursday, 05 May 2016
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The project Reading the Hurlers has recently been awarded two years of funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, along with financial support from Cornwall Archaeological Society and other heritage organisations. Reading the Hurlers is being run by Saltash U3A and is a community geo-archaeology project focusing on the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor. By undertaking a geological survey of the moor’s granite resources, and by producing a profile of the area’s granite, the project will aim to identify the sources of granite which the standing stones of the Hurlers were quarried from. The project will also carry out an archaeological excavation of a potential new stone circle, situated very close to the Hurler’s complex. Volunteers will play a significant role in the gathering and recording of geological data and in the archaeological excavation.

Join The Dig!! This is your chance to get involved with Reading The Hurlers as part of the dig itself. In September 2016 we are undertaking an archaeological excavation of the potential ‘Fourth Circle’ at the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor. Who knows what we will find during the dig week, from the 13th to the 17th of September. Those wishing to take part should send an email to James Gossip who is coordinating the dig. Email James at - jgossip@cau.org.uk

More at
http://readingthehurlers.blogspot.co.uk/
and
http://www.cornwallheritagetrust.org/reading-the-hurlers-project-receives-33700-from-heritage-lottery-fund/

[ Reply to This ]
    Reading the Hurlers project find large recumbent stone but no fourth stone circle by TheCaptain on Tuesday, 22 November 2016
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    Dig at The Hurlers fails to find a possible fourth stone circle. .

    Archaeologists digging on the site of 'The Hurlers' stone circles have discovered a new monument, a large recumbent stone, which may have marked the head of a processional avenue to 'The Hurlers' themselves. The stone is made of granite but doesn’t match the granite from the immediate area and was probably brought to the site by early humans.

    The five day excavation, part of the 'Reading the Hurlers' project, was inspired by previous observations which indicated the presence of a potential fourth stone circle. Geophysical surveys in the 1990s were inconclusive and so a more detailed investigation was required. The dig was carried out by the Cornwall Archaeological Unit who were brought in by the Saltash's U3A Geology Group, the lead partner in the project. Although no fourth stone circle was discovered, archaeologists did find the large stone and the tip of a Neolithic flint arrowhead. Both were in the same trench.

    The dig, which was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Cornwall Heritage Trust and other groups and organisations, drew in many volunteers. Members of the public and school children also had the opportunity to visit the site to see the excavations and take part in guided walks and workshops.

    In May 2017 the final results of the Reading the Hurlers project, which aims to identify the source of the Hurlers, will be revealed at a large free public event at Carnglaze Caverns. Source: The Duchy of Cornwall
    [ Reply to This ]
    Archaeologists and volunteers uncover new monument on Bodmin Moor by Andy B on Tuesday, 22 November 2016
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    The aim of the excavation was to identify whether a group of stones in a circular formation formed part of a ‘fourth’ stone circle, close to The Hurlers. Whilst this was found not to be the case, the discovery of a stone-lined socket hole at the base of large recumbent stone has led the project archaeologists to believe that the area was once the site of a large standing stone, possibly at the head of a processional avenue leading to The Hurlers themselves. The same trench also revealed the tip of a late-Neolithic flint arrow head. The flint tool, probably knapped from a locally sourced beach pebble, was broken soon after use and showed little sign of wear.

    Archaeologist and project co-ordinator Emma Stockley said “this is a fantastic outcome for the project. We have discovered the existence of a new standing stone that would have been an important part of the landscape around The Hurlers. The volunteers have worked incredibly hard and we couldn’t have done this without them”. Preliminary geological studies on a number of the larger excavated stones, some over two metres in length, are intriguing and suggest that the granite has not come from the immediate area.

    Geological project co-ordinator Calum Beeson elaborates ""we've had volunteers carrying out geological surveys on the newly excavated stones and have found that one of the larger stones did not come from the immediate area and does not appear to have travelled there through natural processes. This suggests that it was carried to its current location by human activities"". Further studies will continue to shed more light on this ancient site.

    http://readingthehurlers.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/archaeologists-uncover-new-monument-on.html
    [ Reply to This ]
    3D models / photogrammetry of the Hurlers excavations and standing stones by Andy B on Tuesday, 22 November 2016
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    Members of the U3A formed a team under tuition from Reading The Hurlers media head Matt Clark, to scan and 3d-map the Hurlers standing stones and the stones recently exposed in the dig. This was done through a range of techniques, from detailed photogeometry / photogrammetry (terms for software that captures real-world data as 3d models - surface texture, colour and shape) techniques to laser depth scanning. Many of the megaliths and trenches, large and small, were digitally captured, allowing further off-site study. Follow the link for a selection of the captured 3D models see
    http://readingthehurlers.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/reading-hurlers-dig-week-day-5-part-2.html
    and
    https://sketchfab.com/mattbearclark
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: The Hurlers on BBC Spotlight tonight by AngieLake on Tuesday, 24 September 2013
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I don't know how you highlight the section of this programme so will just add the link to all of it:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03bhgrv
If anyone wants to see the section on The Hurlers (with a reporter walking unsteadily on the cobbles, and then the site being covered over again), it will be towards the end of the programme. (I think it was before the weather forecast.)

I'd been out all day and just come in and sat down with a cup of tea when they gave a little preview of what was coming later, so I had the record button at the ready! Therefore, short clip early on, too!
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: The Hurlers on BBC Spotlight tonight by Bladup on Wednesday, 25 September 2013
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    Thanks for the link Angie as i missed this [he's a bit cheeky walking on it though].
    [ Reply to This ]

The Hurlers excavation Sunday 23rd Sept by MikeAitch on Monday, 23 September 2013
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Just back home from todays visit and need to rest but wanted to share this most excellent article with photos
and video by Roy Goutté who visited the site Sunday 23rd

http://theheritagetrust.wordpress.com/2013/09/23/the-hurlers-mapping-the-sun-event-and-the-crystal-pavement-update-2/



All material © Roy Goutté and posted with his very kind permission

ps lovely to meet you Paul & Sue :-)
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: The Hurlers excavation Sunday 23rd Sept by Bladup on Wednesday, 25 September 2013
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    Likewise lovely to meet you Mike [and Meghunter 2].
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: The Hurlers - Britain's Oldest Pavement (D.Mail article on 23 Sept 2013) by AngieLake on Monday, 23 September 2013
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Have just read this report with some new photos;

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2429844/Britains-oldest-pavement-dating-4-000-YEARS-uncovered-ancient-ceremonial-circles-Cornwall.html
[ Reply to This ]

Re: The Hurlers by MikeAitch on Wednesday, 18 September 2013
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Quick video of the excavation at The Hurlers this afternoon. I was quite surprised by the size of the trench.

Shot with my small camera apologies for the low quality and sound, better photos to come (hopefully) ;)
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: The Hurlers by Bladup on Friday, 20 September 2013
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    Hi Mike, Do you know when the causeway will be totally revealed and when they plan to cover it back up? As I live down near lands end and would love to see it, Thanks, Paul.
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: The Hurlers by Andy B on Friday, 20 September 2013
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      Contact the Caradon Hill Area Heritage Project Team
      http://caradonhill.org.uk/contact-get-in-touch-with-the-chahp-team
      [ Reply to This ]
      Re: The Hurlers by MikeAitch on Friday, 20 September 2013
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      Hi Paul, I'm not completely sure but believe you'll definitely be able to view the excavation Sat & Sun, possibly Mon as well but I can't be certain.
      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: The Hurlers by Anonymous on Friday, 20 September 2013
        Thanks Mike, I was hoping to get there and have a look Monday, So fingers crossed.
        [ Reply to This ]
        Re: The Hurlers by MikeAitch on Friday, 20 September 2013
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        Update: copy and paste of info sent to me by Roy:

        The Hurlers - Mapping the Sun
        Outline Programme of Events
        (subject to change) check http://www.caradonhill.org.uk for up-to-date timetable

        20th September
        Excavation* of pavement - All day
        Mapping the stones - All day - Roseland Observatory
        Geophysical survey - All day - Tamar Group
        Mapping the Sun, Archaeological Field Trip – Minions area - 2 x 2 hour
        field trips- am and pm Jacky Nowakowski open to all. Minions
        landscape – Hurlers, Rillaton, Barrow, Stowes Pound etc.
        Mapping the Sun in Woad - Create a design inspired by the Hurlers
        stone circle and its solar and stellar alignments, or even your idea of
        blue body imagery used by our Craddock Moor ancestors! After
        transferring your design to linen with paste, you will dye it in a woad vat
        made earlier by the group. Robin Paris, under cover in the paddock.
        Adult Education day school – free of charge but booking essential –
        register you place by contacting Iain: irowe1@cornwall.gov.uk
        (10 places only)

        21st September
        Sunrise Walk - Meet Hurlers Carpark at 6:30am to see the sunrise at the
        Hurlers and then explore some of the nearby Bronze Age sites close by.
        (2 miles approx). Walkers will be welcome to join the Project team for a
        Full English breakfast at the Cheeswring Hotel after the walk, please
        contact Anne Hughes to book and for pricing/options:
        annehugstara@gmail.com
        Mapping the Sun in Woad
        Try your hand dyeing with woad and learn a little of Britain's traditional
        indigo. No experience necessary, no booking necessary 10am onwards
        Recording of revealed pavement*- All day
        Mapping the stones - All day - Roseland Observatory
        Geophysical survey - Tamar group
        Flint technology workshop and life in Bronze Age Cornwall
        All day SH and AT Open to all - Under cover in paddock
        Site visit pm: Cornwall Archaeological Society, Plymouth & District
        Archaeological Society - On site

        22nd September
        Pavement fully exposed* recording - All day

        23rd September
        Sampling the pavement* for soils/dates etc - All day team
        Mapping the stones - All day - Roseland Observatory

        24th September
        Back filling* & restoring landscape levels
        [ Reply to This ]
        Re: The Hurlers by Bladup on Friday, 20 September 2013
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        Thanks Mike, Roy and Andy, Can get there Monday so that's great.
        [ Reply to This ]
          Re: The Hurlers by MikeAitch on Saturday, 21 September 2013
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          Weathers forecast's good for Monday, I shall be there late morning so give me a shout if you're there Paul :-)
          [ Reply to This ]
          Re: The Hurlers by Bladup on Saturday, 21 September 2013
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          Will do Mike and thanks again for the info :O)
          [ Reply to This ]
      Re: The Hurlers by Anonymous on Friday, 20 September 2013
      Thanks Andy.
      [ Reply to This ]
      Re: The Hurlers by RoyG on Monday, 23 September 2013
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      Hi Paul. The 'trench' gets filled in tomorrow (Tuesday) so you'd better hurry! Cheers, Roy
      [ Reply to This ]
        Re: The Hurlers by Bladup on Wednesday, 25 September 2013
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        Cheers Roy, We had a great day, Very interesting and we even had some lovely Bodmin moor sunshine [Total blue sky no less], Hope you're back fighting fit very soon.
        The triangle pointy stone was a good result for your new book eh? and the flint they found there is certainly worked and it had to have been brought there from the coast and people were only bringing flint onto the moor in a time before metal, so the little "causeway cairn" [as I like to call it] is very very old it would seem.
        [ Reply to This ]
          Re: The Hurlers by RoyG on Thursday, 26 September 2013
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          Hi Paul. It has been confirmed that the triangular 'pointy stone' is indeed earth fast well into the subsoil beneath the pavement stones which are placed against it on the original surface. This could signify an important feature. It also projects through the modern-day turf.
          [ Reply to This ]
          Re: The Hurlers by Bladup on Thursday, 26 September 2013
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          Yes Roy I'd heard that, But how deep is deep and did pointing always mean just that? The silly local newsreader "trying" to walk on it proved to me that it wasn't made to walk on, So therefore maybe it was once some kind of small long cairn, It was possibly that small because it wasn't really allowed there at the time it was built, so they did it on the hush hush, and the only way you'd have known something was there was by the very top of the pointy stone, a bit like the modern fact that in one of the photo's of the hurlers on the computer [That other s*%$ lesser site, You know the one, The one that's not good for anyone's health!!!] people sometimes even now leave flowers and ashes, But i think people just might have a problem if they tried a full on burial there, eg there may be cremations under the pointy stone.
          By the way did you see the plan of stowe's Pound in the display [in the mine], about 100 huts in the Northern enclosure but none in the southern spirit/outcrop enclosure, even though it's defence's are at least twice as big as the Northern Lived in/people enclosure, I hadn't seen that picture when I said what i said to you, So at the very least what i was "shown" was right.
          [ Reply to This ]

Scrub clearance at Minions Mound, Tuesday 17th September by Andy B on Sunday, 15 September 2013
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Lead: James Gossip, Jacky Nowakowski and Mapping the Sun team
Meet: Hurlers car park, SX 2259 7111, 10.30 am
Aim: to clear gorse and vegetation from Minions Mound and between Minions Mound and the Hurlers Stone Circles to create visibility between the monuments. This will be part of the Mapping the Sun project.

With Caradon Hill Area Heritage Project, Historic Environment Projects, Cornwall Council and The Conservation Volunteers
The aim of this work is to improve the condition and visibility of monuments in the Minions area. The work will vary between removal of large gorse bushes to small-scale ‘gardening’ work on low stones.

http://caradonhill.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news
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Mapping The Sun - Archaeology and Astronomy at the Hurlers,16th - 22nd September 2013 by Andy B on Sunday, 15 September 2013
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(See Minions car park notices for location of events)

All Week:
Astronomy workshop with Roseland Observatory – 10 am and 11am daily
Excavation of Quartz Pavement and 1930’s dig Exhibition
Geophysical & Physical Surveying of surrounding landscape

Monday 16th September
Mapping the Sun, Archaeological Field Trip - Jacky Nowakowski
Hurlers, Rillaton, Barrow, Stowes Pound etc. 10am and repeated at 2pm

Tuesday 17th September
Bronze Age Geologists! - Looking at the amazing connection of where symbolic Bronze Age sites were positioned in relation to unusual rocks in the area. 10am Calum Beeson
2pm Ecological walk around the vicinity of the Hurlers.

Friday 20th September
Mapping the Sun, Archaeological Field Trip - Jacky Nowakowski open to all.
Hurlers, Rillaton, Barrow, Stowes Pound etc. 10am and repeated at 2pm

Saturday 21st September
Sunrise Walk - Meet Hurlers Carpark at 6:30am to see the sunrise at the Hurlers and then explore some of the nearby Bronze Age sites close by. (2 miles approx). Walkers will be welcome to join the Project team for a Full English breakfast at the Cheeswring Hotel after the walk, please contact Anne Hughes to book and for pricing/options: annehugstara@gmail.com

Mapping the Sun in Woad - Try your hand dyeing with woad and learn a little of Britain's traditional indigo. No experience necessary, no booking necessary 10am onwards

Bronze Age Geologists! - Looking at the amazing connection of where symbolic Bronze Age sites were positioned in relation to unusual rocks in the area. 10am Calum Beeson

Flint technology workshop and life in Bronze Age Cornwall All day drop in sessions

This project could not have been planned with the consent and support of the landowners Roscraddoc Estates Ltd and The Duchy of Cornwall, the lessees of the site English Heritage it’s managers Cornwall Heritage Trust, the St. Cleer and District and the Bodmin Moor Commoners, and the local graziers and residents.

http://caradonhill.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/90-mapping-the-sun-archaeology-astronomy-at-the-hurlers
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Excavation should uncover Bronze Age quartz causeway at the Hurlers by Andy B on Sunday, 15 September 2013
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A Bronze Age quartz causeway described as "unique" by archaeologists is to be uncovered for the first time since the 1930s.

The monument, at the Hurlers stone circle on Bodmin Moor, is believed to be the only one of its kind in the British Isles. Scientists and historians hope that by studying it they will gain a better understanding of early civilisations.

Organised by the Caradon Hill Area Heritage Project, "Mapping the Sun" will be led by a team from Cornwall Council's Historic Environment department. Archaeologists will be setting up at the site close to the village of Minions this weekend and the excavation will be open to the public between Tuesday and Saturday.

Described as a community archaeology project, a range of activities will take place throughout the week. These will include astronomy workshops with Brian Sheen from Roseland Observatory, a sunrise equinox walk, a geophysical survey, a display of Bronze Age artefacts and an exhibition of archive photographs. There will also be opportunities to actually lend a hand in the delicate task of excavating the pavement.

The only time the 4,000-year-old causeway is thought to have been uncovered since it was originally laid took place 75 years ago, when workmen stabilised the site and re-erected a number of stones.

The existence of the quartz pavement only came to light again when Cornwall archaeologist Jacky Nowakowski was undertaking unrelated research at an English Heritage store in Gloucestershire. As she looked through files, Jacky came across an unpublished report and photographs from the Ministry of Works' excavation of the Hurlers in 1938.

"I couldn't believe it," she said. "I'd certainly not seen anything like it before. A feature such as this, which suggests a possible linking of the circles, is very unusual. The pavement is nationally unique as far as I know."

Read more at
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/Excavation-reveal-secret-Hurlers/story-19797335-detail/story.html?sp=normal&1379271655195
and for more details visit The Caradon Hill Area Heritage Project at
http://caradonhill.org.uk/

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    Re: Excavation should uncover Bronze Age quartz causeway at the Hurlers by MikeAitch on Tuesday, 17 September 2013
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    Cheers for the links Andy, there's an old b&w shot of the pavement on that page, do we have it or is it copyright protected?
    I'm due to meet Roy Goutté at the Hurlers tomorrow afternoon to see the pavement and take some shots for the MP, anyone else going come say hello :)
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Excavation should uncover Bronze Age quartz causeway at the Hurlers by Andy B on Tuesday, 17 September 2013
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      Nice one Mike, I'll look forward to that. I missed that second image. I can't get it saved at the moment but I would have thought it comes from the Caradon Hill press release so using it to publicise their events is fine.
      [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Excavation should uncover Bronze Age quartz causeway at the Hurlers by AngieLake on Thursday, 19 September 2013
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    The dowsing plans I mentioned in the forum discussion are up on line now. This links to the 2008 one:

    http://www.megalithic.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=a312&file=index&do=showpic&gid=690&pid=112527&orderby=dateD

    The two from 2002 are also up now, for comparison.
    Finding this linear movement pattern twice in the same place does make me wonder if another quartz avenue or pathway existed here. (Running south from The Pipers.)
    I would be wonderful if the archaeologists could check it out.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: The Hurlers by Anonymous on Monday, 10 June 2013
Surely 'The Hurlers', in the context of:
"The neighbouring inhabitants terme them Hurlers, as being by devout and godly error perswaded that they had been men sometime transformed into stones, for profaning the Lord's Day with hurling the ball."
...refers to the ancient game of 'Hurling', which is still played in Eire as well as Cornwall previously? The players of which could be referred to as 'Hurlers'? Or are there separate accounts which aren't referenced and imply that the name is of a musical origin?
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    Re: The Hurlers by TheCaptain on Tuesday, 11 June 2013
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    Indeed you are correct. That comment was applicable to the two stones neaby, known as "the Pipers". I have altered our description
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: The Hurlers - Beware Big Holes in the Ground! by AngieLake on Friday, 23 September 2011
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Tonight, 23rd September 2011, on the local SW late news bulletin, a worrying item about a really HUGE hole opening up over a very, very deep mine shaft! It was near one of the engine houses at Minions and seems to be getting bigger by the day.
(It was where water was pumped up from underground, I think he said.)
I'm sure I heard one reporter or local say it was 700 feet deep, then another person added that it might be over shafts that were worked as much as 1,000 feet or more deep!

Take your crampons and parachute when visiting..... ? ;-)
[ Reply to This ]

Re: The Hurlers by ravinbex on Sunday, 18 September 2011
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A great stone circle to visit, ambience is great, especially at 2 in the morning sitting in the middle of them!!! =)
There is a car park where u can park for free (was in 2007 anyway), and see the stones from there. Its about a minutes walk, not even that, to the circle.
Beyond the circle, walking away from the road, are a few hills around 15 minutes walk from the stones. On top of these hills are big boulders sitting on top of eachother but resting on the next by only a tiny spot. This is the effect of the wind and rain from all the years of weathering past them at this high spot. Very dramatic!
Would definately recommend!
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Re: The Pipers by coldrum on Tuesday, 13 October 2009
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Pastscape entry:

http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=435737
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Re: Hurlers by coldrum on Tuesday, 13 October 2009
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Pastscape:

http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=435707
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Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by AngieLake on Tuesday, 23 September 2008
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Just a practical note for visitors:
The last two times I've visited Minions [entering from the NE] I felt the need to turn into the first car park sharp right at the edge of the village, and realised it wasn't the car park I remembered. The best one for the circles is straight through the village, and up a turning to your right, just outside the village. Approaching from SW this is obviously on your left just before the village starts.
There are information boards (one missing last week) and a picnic table, and the higher end of the parking area, where there are a few steps up to level ground with the monuments, is sheltered from the sometimes strong winds blowing down over the moor. (Remember being surprised by the sudden gust on climbing the steps one sunny evening!)

There are public loos in the middle of the village, opposite the Cheesewring? pub/hotel.
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Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by MikeGreen on Sunday, 23 March 2008
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Another problem
3,500 years of prescession would have a conciderable effect on the position of Orion - nearly 2 signs of the zodiac
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Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by MikeGreen on Thursday, 28 February 2008
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19 years if you want a match to within 2 hours
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Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by MikeGreen on Monday, 24 December 2007
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Any truth that may be in this analysis is totally undermined by several stupid mistakes


1) Quote "This was important because they were starting to grow things and look after animals" " They were becoming farmers instead of hunter-gatherers"
Well if 1500 BC is the correct date then they'd been growing 'things' for two and half thousand years by then without a circle to help


2) How can anything line up with 3 things in a line which are not themselves in a line


3) The picture they gave showed the 3 circles lined up like Orions belt - you might assume the top of the picture to be North - Nope they reorientated it to look good


4) Only once per year at MIdnight, which I suppose is technically correct, but the day before and the day after would only be 4 minutes difference - Did they have the ability to fix midnight to four minutes?


[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by Anonymous on Monday, 24 December 2007
    The date of building is uncertain, the transition to Bronze Age was gradual. There are plenty of other circles believed to have been built much earlier. The date of construction does not affect the theory.

    A glance at a map shows 3 circles NE - SW and this is mirrored by the Belt Stars. NE - SW. They are not themselves in a straight line.

    The question I asked my self "Is this NE-SW alignment a coincidence? If it is intentional what could be the reason? I knew that Orion was south in December, if it turned out to be due south at midnight ie at Opposition to the Sun on the Solstice then it was intentional. I used SkyMap Pro and it turned out my hunch was correct. You are right to say that accuracy of a day or so is asking too much. Surprisingly though it is pretty good. (The Press Release did not say exact) Just try it for your self. I guess you also noted that it was Full Moon 24th for the last few days it looked as though Orion was topped by a golden disc. This only happens every few years.

    I hope that helps,

    Brian Sheen - Roseland Observatory.



    [ Reply to This ]

Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by Anonymous on Friday, 21 December 2007
The Hurlers, along with all the other stone circles and Henges were elements in a wide spread communication system. Excavation invariably show alternate layers of Charcoal and soil, suggesting fire, probably beacon fires.
It can be shown that there is inter visibility between the Hurlers and Merrivale (Merry Being the Celtic word for to see,and to watch.)The merry Maidens were also part of the same system (Merry Maidens being a corruption of merry maens or the look out stones.)
It can be shown that Stone circles were always placed in visually strategic places where a fire signal can be relayed, and that from one can commonly can be seen another albeit twenty or thirty miles away.
It is obvious that any organized society would need to have early warning of danger, and that the simplest method of communicating intelligence from the coast to a political centre will have been by fire beacon. We know that such systems were in use from the earliest times in other lands, why is it so difficult to recognize such a system in this country.The Grey Wethers (two large circles) on Dartmoor are in part of the same beacon chain that probably linked with Stonehenge or Avebury, two fairly obvious political centres. Why the multiple circles? Why carry spare batteries for you torch? Beacons were prepared in advance, and back up beacons would be useful if thee first fire was not acknowledged.The Parthenon was informed of the fall of Troy by fire beacon in the Bronze Age. Such systems were permanent arrangements, with well trained operatives prepared to watch and signal at all times. The defence of the realm depended on it just as it has done ever since.
Roger B Hutchins
















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    Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by AngieLake on Friday, 21 December 2007
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    Chapel Carn Brae to the NW of the Merry Maidens was (is?) used as a beacon. Where I grew up in north Devon there was a hill locally known as The Beacon in sight of the sea and river estuary.
    Don't you think the ancestors would be more likely to use the summit of a hill, rather than circles, which usually lie on lower slopes? In most areas where megalithic remains are found there are mountains or higher ground surrounding them. (Especially in the case of Merrivale). Castlerigg and Swinside are another two examples, both surrounded by mountains.

    I think fires were probably lit in circles either as ritual focus, or for warmth in winter while joining in these events, or for cremation. If they met at night they may have lit one big fire rather than carrying brushwood torches.
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by AngieLake on Friday, 21 December 2007
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    I forgot to say, also, that lighting a beacon fire on Rillaton Barrow would have been much more effective than one in the lower-lying Hurlers because it overlooks a vast landscape to the north.
    [See pic posted earlier for view].
    [ Reply to This ]
      Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by Anonymous on Monday, 24 December 2007
      Hi Angie,

      My guess is that if the 3 circles mirrored the Belt then this would be difficult to see from close too. Hence a set of 3 beacons could be seen from say Rillaton Barrow or Cheesewring.

      Brian Sheen - Roseland Observatory.
      [ Reply to This ]

Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by AngieLake on Friday, 21 December 2007
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I believe that the Merry Maidens circle was once the central one of three that ran NE-SW down the sloping ground. I've so often subconsciously thought of the Merry Maidens in a plural sense and talked about 'them', rather than 'it', that I decided to dowse there last May.
I found the NE circle at 68 degs and 34 paces from the existing one. Its northern arc cut into the hedge to the left of a prominent large block of stone, and its diameter was 39 paces.
The SW circle was 240 degs and 28 paces from the existing circle and 32/33 paces across. (I didn't pace across the present circle, but it is recorded as being 23.8 metres in diameter.)
My own paces were long strides, but being a woman, not quite 3ft, I'd guess.
From the furthest edge of each 'circle' [ie:SW and NE] the present circle appears in sharp relief along the ridge of the slope.

Having read the above comments on The Hurlers, I wonder if the same alignment with Orion will occur at Winter Solstice? Does anyone know??
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Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by Anonymous on Friday, 21 December 2007
A snag with the theory is that there are now thought to have been four circles and even a possible fifth. There are supposed to be the remains of a ruined circle NNE of the well-known ones and a possibility of another further NNE. I assume the article is wrong because due south isn't in line with the circles. In fact the circles aren't exactly in line with each other. I'm also a tad dubious about the date given for the circles. Burl suggests very reasonably that sites with multiple rings are likely to have developed over time with extra rings being added in turn to a first at intervals. So we don't know that the circles are contemporaneous. The other issue is the general dating for stone circles. Estimates vary, but 1500bc is very young and the Hurlers could be 500 years or more older which would affect where Orion was at mid winter solstice.

I think that O'Brien may have a better idea in suggesting that the cairns of Caradon Hill marked significant sunrises when viewed from the Hurlers, though a lot of the stuff he wrote in "The Megalithic Odyssey" was pure tosh.
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    Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by Anonymous on Friday, 21 December 2007
    Additional circles is no problem - maybe more of the constellation is on the moor. However a number of other sites, worldwide, also mirror the Belt of Orion. Incidentally the Belt Stars are not exactly in line either. The date I have used is only a book one but it makes no differance to the theory. Precession alters the date of midwinter solstice, however Orion would still transit on that date at midnight. There are many alignments for sunrise and sunset on Bodmin Moor. The quartz chips on the ground of the only circle excavated are additional and not just from facing the standing stones.

    Brian Sheen - Roseland Observatory.
    [ Reply to This ]

Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by coldrum on Wednesday, 19 December 2007
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An amateur astronomer could have finally unravelled the mystery of the ancient Hurlers on Bodmin Moor.


The three stone circles in Cornwall have been discovered to align perfectly with the constellation Orion.

New research now suggests The Hurlers were built as a primitive calender which indicates the exact date of mid winter.

Once a year at midnight on the winter solstice, they line up exactly with Orion's position in the night sky.

Brian Sheen, a retired research chemist and astronomer who runs the Roseland Observatory, in St Stephen, Cornwall, said the stones were built around 1500 BC.

Using a specialist computer programme that predicts the future position of stars he confirmed the alignment between Orion and the circles would occur.

Mr Sheen said: "As far as I can tell these Hurlers, a series of three stone circles, actually mirror the belt of Orion.

"Just once a year at the winter solstice Orion passes due south at midnight.

"What also happens is that allows the ancient people to tell the half way point between the autumnal equinox and the vernal equinox.

"This was important because they were starting to grow things and look after animals.

"They were becoming farmers instead of hunter-gatherers.

"It confirms that the people that built the Hurlers around 1500 BC were fully aware of day length and season and had more knowledge of astronomy than we thought."

Mr Sheen said he was shocked when he made the discovery and says the winter soltice later this week be a stunning spectacle for those on the Moor.

"On December 21 we will be standing in the line of the three circles we will see Orion's belt due south in line with the stones."

The 5,500-year-old Earthworks, at Thornborough, Yorkshire, the Stone Circles on Orkney and the Egyptian Pyramids at Giza are the only other known ancient structures linked to Orion.

Legend has it that the stones at Minions on Bodmin Moor were men that had been turned to rock for playing Hurling on the Sabbath - a game similar to rounders.

Anthony Harding, Professor of Archaeology at Exeter University said it was possible that the Hurlers could have been erected to align with Orion's belt.

"There has been a big debate about this sort of theory," he said. "Though many archaeologists are sceptical whether this can be the case.

"The question to ask really is if you wanted to make a very precise alignment like that would you do it by heaving large lumps of stone around the place?

"One wants to see the hard evidence for it. What I would say is we can't rule anything out."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=503384&in_page_id=1770&ito=newsnow
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by Anonymous on Thursday, 20 December 2007
    Behold I have found the Z S and E key on the qwerty keyboard align to orion!!!
    If this ishttp://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=82
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by Anonymous on Thursday, 20 December 2007
    Behold I have found the Z S and E key on the qwerty keyboard align to orion!!!
    [ Reply to This ]
    Re: Hurlers may have been built to mirror the stars, say astronomers by Anonymous on Wednesday, 26 December 2007
    An interesting theory which was once flouted for the Egyptian pyramids. So what about all the other stone circle complexes in the uk, are they also related to something similar? The grey wethers on Dartmoor, Avebury and Stanton Drew are the three famous groups of circles aligned on a north to south line. The Hurlers clearly belong to the same tradition. But they dont seem to be placed for the same reasons. Stanton Drew for example was aranged for geometric reasons, not to as a stellar mirror. There are similar settings at Knowlton and priddy, although these are henges.
    [ Reply to This ]

Bodmin Moor Hurlers mystery solved by coldrum on Wednesday, 19 December 2007
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The mystery of the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor may have been solved.

An amateur astronomer claims that the ancient stone monuments were built to mirror the stars in Orion's Belt and indicate the date of mid-winter.

The theory was proposed by Brian Sheen, a retired research chemist who runs the Roseland Observatory in St Stephen, Cornwall.

He claims that the three stone circles, erected about 1,500 BC, mirror the three stars of Orion's Belt. At midnight on the winter solstice, their north-south orientation aligns with Orion's position - due south in the sky.

Mr Sheen said the stones served as a calendar, also telling the tribesmen the summer solstice.

"This was important because they were starting to grow things and look after animals," he said. "They were becoming farmers instead of hunter-gatherers."

Legend has it that the stones were men, turned to rock for playing hurling on the Sabbath.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/19/norion119.xml
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: Bodmin Moor Hurlers mystery solved by Anonymous on Friday, 20 September 2013
    Mr Sheen said the stones served as a calendar, also telling the tribesmen the summer solstice.

    "This was important because they were starting to grow things and look after animals," he said. "They were becoming farmers instead of hunter-gatherers."


    This is daft. Farmers, hunters, gardeners then as now would know the weather signs for sowing, planting and the like. It's not an exact science but changes in the weather are far better indications of the best times than the position of sun, moon or any constellations.
    [ Reply to This ]

Re: The Hurlers by Anonymous on Wednesday, 19 December 2007
Bodmin Moor Hurlers mystery solved,
By Daily Telegraph reporter 19/12/2007

The mystery of the Hurlers on Bodmin Moor may have been solved.

An amateur astronomer claims that the ancient stone monuments were built to mirror the stars in Orion's Belt and indicate the date of mid-winter.

The theory was proposed by Brian Sheen, a retired research chemist who runs the Roseland Observatory in St Stephen, Cornwall.

He claims that the three stone circles, erected about 1,500 BC, mirror the three stars of Orion's Belt. At midnight on the winter solstice, their north-south orientation aligns with Orion's position - due south in the sky.

Mr Sheen said the stones served as a calendar, also telling the tribesmen the summer solstice.

"This was important because they were starting to grow things and look after animals," he said. "They were becoming farmers instead of hunter-gatherers."

Legend has it that the stones were men, turned to rock for playing hurling on the Sabbath.
[ Reply to This ]
    Re: The Hurlers by Maia on Wednesday, 26 December 2007
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    I apologise if these points have already been made:

    I respect all seekers of the truth of the old ways, but (! a 'but') how could our ancestors have known that it was midnight? I haven't seen any 3000 yr old digital watches set to our 24 hr clock have you? Midnight was not recognised then - it was sun up or sun down or moon phase or moon standstill or eclipse or bird flight or seed set or first ice or many natural things - but hardly 2400 gmt.

    Also - I believe the site is larger than 3 originally and whereas I WANT to believe in an exciting pattern, I am dubious that this is it.

    I have spent many hours at Cornish sites (and others) to witness the solar and lunar events - these work. If I have noticed anything it is references to the Pleides group and Casseiopea. Certainly that is so in the UK and also the German Bronze Disc indicates this. (I forget the link for that this morning).

    Keep hunting Brian and consider all our thoughts - between us on this site we have a lot of knowledge gained from thought and experience - we are out there a lot looking for the old truth.

    BB Maia x



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Re: The Hurlers by Anonymous on Thursday, 31 May 2007
brilliant things to look at very intresting am of to cornwall soon thanks for this from micksue908@msn.com
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Re: The Hurlers by Anonymous on Thursday, 24 May 2007
On the map the 3 circles look very like the layout of the 3 stars in Orion's belt. This could be yet another Orion site like the Giza pyramids and the Thornesborough rings in northern England.

Rocky
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Re: The Hurlers by TheCaptain on Sunday, 20 May 2007
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The Pipers - 'Forgotten' stones at The Hurlers? (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Sunday, 20 May 2007


Many people every year visit the three stone circles known as The Hurlers on Bodmin Moor in Cornwall - but how many take time to go and stand a while with The Pipers, which are just a few yards away? Look in the books and these two enigmatic stones only rate a brief statement of their existence - if they rate a comment at all!

The first time we visited The Hurlers was about 10 years ago in 1997; like most folks, I was keen to see these three rings of stone - just the fact that there are three was fascinating in itself - but something was drawing me off to the right (as you look at the stones from the road) and I walked off towards the two stones that seemed to be somehow separate from the main circles.

In a landscape literally littered with megalithic monuments - in ten years I think I have only managed to visit about half, if that - these two really stand out for me. They seem to be guardians, watching over the landscape, sentinels bearing witness to a silent past. Dowsing shows them to be on a 'offshoot' of the well known earth energy lines in this location. There is also a strange and uncomfortable place of 'dark energy' in a hollow between the Pipers and the second of the circles. It felt like something swimming underground, trying to pull me in...I know that sounds utterly nuts, but I always give out what I receive!

I stood with my back to each one in turn, drinking in the sunshine (the photo is one from 2006 when heavy rain made it a little treacherous to get near!) and absorbing the atmosphere...lovely...calm and protective. I take that 'feeling' with me wherever I go - and every time we go back to Cornwall I now make a point of trying to visit the Pipers. Does this all sound a bit mad? Well, maybe to some - but to those that feel an affinity with the ancient history of this land - I know you will understand me.

Michelle Jones
pennymoon
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Re: The Hurlers by Anonymous on Sunday, 18 April 2004
by Petercastle. The Hurlers is situated just to the west of Minions.There is good parking,and the site is easily reached on a path. There are a lot of other sites close by, the Rillaton Round Barrow clearly visible on the sky line. The photograph was taken from the hill behind,which gives the best overall view point. The most southerly of the circles is in the foreground and has only 2 stones standing.
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Re: The Hurlers by Petercastle on Monday, 12 April 2004
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Condition:4
Ambience:4
Access:4
This is an excelent site to visit as it has good access for all.The best way to get an over all view is to stand at the bottom of the three circles and turn through 180 degrees and walk up the hill about 200 metres,turn back and you will get a complete view of all three of the circles with the Rillaton Barrow cresting the hill top.
The Cheese Ring which is north of the circles is also worth a visit as it has the wall of a prehistoric enclosure encircling the top,as well as signs of occupation by the tinners.
There is also another stone circle within easy reach of these sites.It is the Carradock Moor stone circle and lies around 1 kilometre to the north west.It can be reached by walking along the path which leads to the nearby quarry,taking the left hand fork and turning south onto the grass when the circle is in site,it is just south of a barrow which is close ot the path.
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Re: The Hurlers by gormer on Saturday, 01 November 2003
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Coming here on a rainy late afternoon with heavy mists just rolling in made for an otherworldly experience--the mist managed to obscure most of what modern man has done in the area, and watching the three stone circles dart in and out of the fog was almost unnerving. The pockmarked, water-logged ground did make finding my footing tricky, but there is such a wide area to explore that most visitors won't mind getting their shoes wet. Resident livestock wandering about didn't seem to be bothered in the least by visitors--and especially because they were the only ones with whom I had to share the site, visiting The Hurlers was an uncrowded, quiet side trip.
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Re: The Hurlers by Bunnyhugger on Sunday, 12 October 2003
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A beautiful place in any weather. Despite being quite close to the road, these circles feel magical, especially at sunset on a summer's day, when the light catches the quartz in the stones. When the weather is stormy it's dramatic and breath-taking, quite literally!

Seeing three circles is one place is very special, and it's worth pottering about to see them from different angles - it's a lovely place for walking.

The presence of dilapidated tin mine buildings give the whole area the feeling that man has tried to dominate the moor, but nature has won. Sadly, there's a big aerial-type structure nearby, which does detract from the view towards Minions, but looking out towards the Cheesewring is a great view of the moor.

The stones here feel welcoming, but there are many little - and some not so little - hollows filled with water, so watch your step.
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