Standing For What? Standing stones in the South Pennines
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Neolithic and Bronze AgeCountry: England County: Yorkshire (North) Type: Standing StonesInternal Links:
Standing For What? Standing stones in the South Pennines
Dr D Shepherd1/06CONTEXT
Fieldwork in an area of the South Pennines has located numerous prehistoric features, which complement a significant assemblage of flint and chert artefacts gathered from the same area, and which include circular and linear features, burial and clearance cairns, a spread of rock art panels, and standing stones. Preliminary details of the fieldwork are contained in Shepherd 2003, 2004 and 2006.
This paper describes and discusses standing stones identified across an area of dissected gritstone upland extending north from the M62 to the minor road connecting Stanbury and Colne, and east from the main Pennine watershed to the rururban fringe of the West Yorkshire conurbation. Agriculture, industry, settlement and communications are generally confined to the deep valleys that divide the area. From around 280m to 320m gentler slopes of rough pasture and unimproved land form a broad band of transition to the peat-covered hilltops from 350m to over 420m. It is along this band that most features have been located. The Mesolithic to Bronze Age assemblage of flint (B Howcroft pers.comm.) has been recovered largely from the shores of upland reservoirs occupying some of the higher basins.
Before the present study, and excepting the flint assemblage, the South Pennine area was relatively unexplored from an archaeological point of view. Prior to 1995 the West Yorkshire Sites and Monuments Record detailed some Mesolithic flint scatters, some chance finds of urns and other artefacts, two or three circular features - one tentatively identified as a hut circle, and the complete excavation of a ring-cairn. There were no recordings of rock art or cairns. Interestingly although the 1st edition Ordnance Survey does mark some half-dozen standing stones only two stones in the present study have local names, all the others were found during field walking. Fig 1 indicates modern settlements, the main lines of drainage, summits, and the locations of the standing stones.
CRITERIA
The provisional database contains over 90 stones-that-seem-to-be-standing; commonly they are upright flakes or slabs of local gritstone approaching one metre in height above present ground level, around one metre in length, and they tend to be roughly thirty centimetres thick, although there is considerable variation in these dimensions. Allowing for sufficient below-ground depth to ensure stability this gives a typical mass of between one and one and a half tonnes. In order to exclude possible waymarkers, boundary posts, cattle rubbing posts, old gateposts, naturally-erect rocks, the products of contingent stone-getting, stones tilted by the passage of heavy vehicles, and so on, a set of criteria has been applied.
Thus, to be considered as a likely prehistoric standing stone a stone should:
- be vertical or nearly so - an angle exceeding 50° to horizontal
- show evidence of packing stones - either visible or on probing
- have bedding in the vertical plane
- have a height above the pre-peat soil level of more than twice the shorter horizontal dimension
- display no evidence of shaping with metal tools - no chisel or hammer marks
- show erosion consistent with prolonged exposure in present position - water/ice-exploited grooves in bedding, and cracks in the vertical dimension similarly exploited
- not be adjacent to walls, buildings, delfs, drains or other historic activities
- not be on lines of enclosure or earlier boundary lines
- not be on a packhorse way or other long-standing track
- not be used as a parish boundary
Table 1, Standing stones
| ID | grid ref | database name | elevation AOD (metres) | height (cm) | length (cm) | thickness (cm) |
| 1 | SD98377.28807 | Dawson City field | 257 | 170 | 90 | 50 |
| 2 | SD95354.30190 | Standing Stone Hill | 398 | 110 | 120 | 40 |
| 3 | SD96055.30190 | Pailer End Slade | 267 | 85 | 70 | 30 |
| 4 | SD95445.31029 | King Common Rough (1) | 314 | 70 | 80 | 40 |
| 5 | SD95282.30991 | King Common Rough (2) | 319 | 110 | 220 | 40 |
| 6 | SD95245.31392 | Ridge (fka8) | 296 | 125 | 140 | 50 |
| 7 | SD95333.31377 | Ridge X | 295 | 70 | 130 | 30 |
| 8 | SD95412.31401 | Ridge emost | 296 | 70 | 120 | 30 |
| 9 | SD95154.31409 | Ridge SE bottom | 296 | 90 | 80 | 25 |
| 10 | SD94692.33048 | Pisser Rough (north) | 332 | 50 | 100 | 15-30 |
| 11 | SD94611.32872 | Sutcliffe Rough | 315 | 100 | 100 | 25 |
| 12 | SD99338.33320 | Thurrish Rough (Black Scout) | 375 | 95 | 195 | 40 |
| 13 | SD97705.28067 | Dill Scout | 260 | 100 | 100 | 50 |
| 14 | SD95700.26969 | Staups Moor A | 313 | 110 | 150 | 40 |
| 15 | SD95668.26969 | Staups Moor B | 315 | 110 | 130 | 40 |
| 16 | SD95684.26900 | Staups Moor M | 325 | 90 | 100 | 40 |
| 17 | SD95407.26951 | Staups Moor D | 329 | 60 | 90 | 30 |
| 18 | SD95458.26921 | Staups Moor G | 333 | 40 | 90 | 15 |
| 19 | SD95508.26827 | Staups Moor I | 344 | 45 | 80 | 15 |
| 20 | SD95476.26782 | Staups Moor K | 348 | 220 | 250 | 60 |
| 21 | SD95548.26731 | Staups Moor N | 347 | 50 | 110 | 30 |
| 22 | SD95617.26518 | Staups Moor P | 352 | 60 | 110 | 30 |
| 23 | SD97534.16894 | Rishworth Moor 4 (Letterstns) | 451 | 90 | 80 | 40 |
| 24 | SE00175.16273 | Rishworth Moor 9 (Castle Dn) | 340 | 30 | 100 | 15 |
| 25 | SE00218.16297 | Rishworth Moor 10 (Castle Dn) | 346 | 70 | 150 | 60 |
| 26 | SE00357.17361 | Rishworth Moor 12 (Castle Dn) | 345 | 90 | 50 | 25 |
| 27 | SD94092.32620 | The Notch A | 321 | 100 | 140 | 30 |
| 28 | SD94071.32645 | The Notch B | 319 | 55 | 100 | 30 |
| 29 | SD94198.32562 | The Notch E | 311 | 100 | 75 | 30 |
| 30 | SD94259.32531 | The Notch F | 305 | 100 | 150 | 40 |
| 31 | SD94166.32530 | The Notch G | 307 | 50 | 110 | 30 |
| 32 | SD95598.31154 | Graining Water 1 | 296 | 120 | 100 | 30 |
| 33 | SD95418.31096 | Graining Water 2 | 291 | 80 | 55 | 20 |
| 34 | SE01534.30025 | Shore End Top | 405 | 80 | 220 | 30-20 |
| 35 | SD99248.21911 | Higher House Moor 1 | 320 | 80 | 130 | 40 |
| 36 | SD99280.22079 | Higher House Moor 2 | 328 | 140 | 180 | 50 |
| 37 | SD99426.22190 | Higher House Moor 3 | 323 | 60 | 135 | 30 |
| 38 | SD99547.21999 | Higher House Moor 6 | 297 | 145 | 70 | 50 |
| 39 | SD99529.22007 | Higher House Moor 7 | 296 | 120 | 180 | 50 |
| 40 | SD99535.22011 | Higher House Moor 8 | 300 | 95 | 80 | 60 |
| 41 | SD99455.21793 | Higher House Moor 11 | 288 | 115 | 180 | 40 |
| 42 | SD98926.21384 | Higher House Moor 19 | 332 | 100 | 120 | 35 |
| 43 | SD98867.21125 | Higher House Moor 21 | 323 | 70 | 120 | 20-30 |
| 44 | SD98735.21132 | Higher House Moor 23 | 325 | 90 | 100 | 40-30 |
| 45 | SD97526.16117 | Blackstone Edge | 448 | 180 | 150 | 70 |
| 46 | SD96229.33883 | Shaw Dyke Hill | 365 | 70 | 160 | 15-40-15 |
| 47 | SD97966.25723 | Edge End Moor 5 | 279 | 130 | 100 | 40 |
| 48 | SD97955.25614 | Edge End Moor 6 | 285 | 130 | 80 | 30 |
| 49 | SD99526.22613 | Turley Holes Edge 1 | 328 | 100 | 60 | 40 |
| 50 | SD99516.22624 | Turley Holes Edge 2 | 332 | 75 | 90 | 30 |
| 51 | SD99530.22634 | Turley Holes Edge 3 | 90 | 85 | 50 | |
| 52 | SE00208.35267 | Wether Hill Brigstone | 150 | 95 | 30 | |
| 53 | SE00803.32611 | Roms Hill Stone | ||||
| 54 | SD99063.35722 | Cuckoo Stone | 345 | 100 | 110 | 30 |
| 55 | SD98622.22744 | Buckstones | 105 | 100 | 30 | |
| 56 | SD99833.22367 | Turley Holes (053) | 100 | 70 | 40 | |
| 57 | SD99443.22847 | Turley Holes (049) | 145 | 84 | 20-50 |
CHARACTERISTICS
In addition to its location and dimensions each stone was photographed and a record made of siting, visible profile, orientation of the long axis, elevation of the horizon(s) in the direction(s) of the long axis, the presence of packing, proximity to other stones and/or other apparently prehistoric features; notes were also made regarding the viewshed and landscape context. There is an immediate difficulty in that whilst the criteria provide a set of indicators helpful in identifying probable prehistoric standing stones it does not necessarily follow that the stones comprise a discrete class of monument; readily-available slabs of stone, typically of a mass that could be manoeuvred by (say) six people, may well have been used as permanent markers with a variety of purposes, meanings and implications. Nevertheless it is possible to discern some commonalities, both within geographical subgroups of the stones and across the area as a whole.
RELATING TO PLACES
The catchment of Hebden Water, to the north of Hebden Bridge, is characterised by a number of high basins, some of which have been utilised as reservoirs. The six basins (Table 2) are similar in some respects, being sheltered, shallow valleys of between 200 and 300 acres drained by large streams which cut down to form defiles or gorges as they leave the basins.
Table 2, Hebden Water catchment
| grid ref | name | current use | standing stones (from Table 1) |
| SD942.313 | Gorple | reservoir |
|
| SD930.325 | Widdop | reservoir | 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 |
| SD945.335 | Greave | shooting moor | 10, 11 |
| SD965.335 | Walshaw | reservoir |
|
| SD993.335 | Middle Moor-Thurrish | shooting moor and rough pasture | 12 |
| SD955.273 | Staups-Hippins | moor, rough pasture and improved land | 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 |
Three of these basins, Widdop, Greave and Staups-Hippins, have groups of standing stones adjacent to the gorges where the water leaves, and one other, Middle Moor-Thurrish, has a single stone in a similar position. It may be significant that the remaining two valleys are both more heavily modified as a result of reservoir construction. All the stones are sited just above the final break of slope where the steep, immediate gorge-side commences, such that from the stones there is a view both into and out of the basin, and though the line of drainage can be seen the water cannot, although it can be heard.
A similar, less distinct relationship can be seen to the south where standing stones overlook the Oxygrains gorge which drains the Green Withens valley (SD990.165). The stones may have an additional association with burials in this instance, and the valley is, like Gorple and Wadsworth, much modified by reservoir construction.
One suggestion is that a sheltered 250 acre basin would be a suitable base for an extended family group subsisting by animal-rearing supplemented with hunting and gathering. In such a situation stones might be erected at the edge of home ground, at the beginning of a liminal area, possibly as a boundary feature or marking the appropriate place for ritual observances. The shores of the reservoirs at Gorple and Widdop have provided substantial evidence of long-term use (Howcroft), possibly some form of transhumance shading into permanent occupation, and the tracks and ditches in Greave and Middle Moor-Thurrish bear exactly the same flint and chert debitage. This possibility will be developed further below.
RELATING TO BOUNDARIES
There is a difficulty in applying labels of convenience in order to demonstrate different strands of potential interpretation because modern words have an inevitable modern indexicality that makes it hard to define or restrict the inferences that may be drawn. There are standing stones that seem to have more of an immediate connection with the gorges and defiles than with the spaces upstream of them. Placed again just above the break of slope leading down to the water, so that the nearest water can be heard but not seen, there are several stones with long axes aligned either parallel to the valley (such as 3, 15, 54, 56) or at right angles to the valley as if cutting a line across it (such as 11, 14, 27, 32, 46). As will become clear, many of the stones appear to have more than one ‘function’ - which may or may not be an outcome of necessarily modern conceptualisation and theorising. Again, this possibility will be developed further.
RELATIONS TO LANDSCAPE FEATURES
Moving to still more specific, situated characteristics, there are some stones that appear to make reference to nearby features. Wether Hill Brigstone (52) not only has a long axis aligned parallel to the stream but is also set at a point where the stream leaves an area of hillocks and groundwaves which bear some small (burial?) cairns and curves to suddenly disclose an expansive view as the immediate skylines fall away to reveal the Leeshaw valley with Oxenhope beyond. There is a sense of the stone being at a threshold. The stone at Dill Scout (13) points directly across a deep gorge to (what is now the remnant of) a ringcairn near the top of Cross Hill above Heptonstall. Stone 55 at Buckstones aligns with an earth circle and an embanked stone circle (John Barnatt pers. comm.) five miles away on Midgley Moor above Mytholmroyd. Stone 7 at Ridge draws a line across the Graining valley and points directly at an outcrop on the far side that bears the only cup and ring markings so far found in this area.
Rather than being an attempted analysis of landscape context, these stones are cited simply as examples of references or relations that can be defined with some certainty because the object or focus of attention in each case has survived.
ORIENTATIONS AND HORIZON EVENTS
Consideration was made of the possible archaeoastronomical significance of the orientations of the long axes of the standing stones. This was effected by recording the grid reference, magnetic bearing of the long axis (azimuth) and elevation (altitude) of the horizon on the same bearing, and then processing the data using GETDEC software from the University of Leicester (Clive Ruggles pers. comm..). The declinations derived were compared with Aubrey Burl’s revision of Alexander Thom’s ‘Megalithic Months’. (Burl 1983)
Table 3, after Burl Horizon event declinations
| ‘month’ | declination | sunrise | sunset | prehistoric | christian |
| 8thMay | +16.6° | 60° | 300° | Beltane | Whitsun |
| 21stJune | +23.9° | 45° | 315° | Midsummer solstice |
|
| 9thAugust | +16.7° | 60° | 300° | Lughnasa | Lammas/harvest festival |
| 23rdSeptember | +0.4° | 90° | 270° | Autumn equinox |
|
| 6thNovember | -16.3° | 119° | 241° | Samain | All Souls/All Saints/Martinmas |
| 21stDecember | -23.9° | 135° | 225° | Midwinter solstice | Christmas |
| 5thFebruary | -16.2° | 119° | 241° | Imbolc | St Bridgid’s/Candlemas |
| 23rdMarch | +0.4° | 90° | 270° | Vernal equinox |
|
Lunar declinations:Major standstills +/- 29.177°
Minor standstills +/- 18.887°
The question posed was whether the long axes of stones indicated significant sunrises and sunsets, and/or lunar standstills. The software provided the trigonometric calculations necessary to allow for hills on the horizon, which would mean that the sun rose or set further south than would be the case if the horizon were level. Table 4 shows the results of these calculations.
Table 4, Standing stone declinations
| ID | grid ref | locale | orientation | horizon | declination |
| 1 | SD98377.28807 | Dawson City field | 345-165 | level | 34.2/-35.4 local reference/stellar(?) |
| 2 | SD95354.30190 | Standing Stone Hill | 0-180 | level |
|
| 3 | SD96055.30190 | Pailer End Slade | 281-101 | +2.5 both ways | 8.3/-4.6 local references? |
| 4 | SD95445.31029 | King Common Rough (1) | 220-40 | +6.5-+2 | -21.1(?)/+28.45 major lunar standstill |
| 5 | SD95282.30991 | King Common Rough (2) | 37-217 | +2-+7.5 | +29.7/-21.3(?) major lunar standstill |
| 6 | SD95245.31392 | Ridge (fka8) | 148-228 | +4-+2.5 | -26.5 midwinter sunrise/ 21.3 midsummer sunset (?) |
| 7 | SD95333.31377 | Ridge X | 355-175 | +5.5-+2.5 | 41.4/-33.8 local references (stellar?) |
| 8 | SD95412.31401 | Ridge emost | 20-200 | +2.5-+6 | 35.9 local reference(?)/-28 major lunar standstill |
| 9 | SD95154.31409 | Ridge SE bottom | 130 | +2.5 | -20.4 minor lunar standstill |
| 10 | SD94692.33048 | Pisser Rough (north) | 297-117 | +4-+1 | +18.7/-15 Lughnasa and Imbolc/Samain + minor lss |
| 11 | SD94611.32872 | Sutcliffe Rough | 84-264 | +4-+3.5 | +6.6 (?) -0.9 equinoctial sunset |
| 12 | SD99338.33320 | Thurrish Rough (Black Scout) | 140-320 | +1.5-+3 | -25.51 midwinter sunrise |
| 13 | SD97705.28067 | Dill Scout | 75-255 | +2-+3.5 | 10.2/-6.1 (?) local reference |
| 14 | SD95700.26969 | Staups Moor A | 30-210 | distant and level (30) | 30.25 major lunar standstill |
| 15 | SD95668.26969 | Staups Moor B | 98-278 | distant and level (98) | equinox |
| 16 | SD95684.26900 | Staups Moor M | 20-200 | level | 29.9 major lunar standstill |
| 17 | SD95407.26951 | Staups Moor D | 160-340 | +5 | 29.05 major lunar standstill |
| 18 | SD95458.26921 | Staups Moor G | 45 | level | 24.2 midsummer sunrise |
| 19 | SD95508.26827 | Staups Moor I | 160-340 | +3 | -31.1 major lunar standstill |
| 20 | SD95476.26782 | Staups Moor K | 115-295 | distant and level | -14.95 Samain |
| 21 | SD95548.26731 | Staups Moor N | 34 | level | 28.6 major lunar standstill |
| 22 | SD95617.26518 | Staups Moor P | 60 | level | 16.7 Lughnasa/Beltane |
| 23 | SD97534.16894 | Rishworth Moor 4 (Letterstns) | 115 | distant and level | -15 Imbolc/Samain |
| 24 | SE00175.16273 | Rishworth Moor 9 (Castle Dn) | 218 | +1.5 | -26.8 major lunar standstill |
| 25 | SE00218.16297 | Rishworth Moor 10 (Castle Dn) | 153 | +3 | -29.25 major lunar standstill |
| 26 | SE00357.17361 | Rishworth Moor 12 (Castle Dn) | 213 | +2 | -28.2 major lunar standstill |
| 27 | SD94092.32620 | The Notch A | 53-233 | +3-+5 | 23.2 midsummer solstice/-16.5 Samain/Imbolc |
| 28 | SD94071.32645 | The Notch B | 157 | +1.5 | -31.7 local reference/stellar(?) |
| 29 | SD94198.32562 | The Notch E | 114 | +1 | -13.35 local reference (?) 2/6/04 |
| 30 | SD94259.32531 | The Notch F | 161 | +2 | -32.25 local reference/stellar(?) |
| 31 | SD94166.32530 | The Notch G | 165 | +2 | -33.1 local reference/stellar(?) |
| 32 | SD95598.31154 | Graining Water 1 | 345 | level | local reference |
| 33 | SD95418.31096 | Graining Water 2 | e-w | level | equinox |
| 34 | SE01534.30025 | Shore End Top | 153 | distant and level | -32.3 local reference/stellar(?) |
| 35 | SD99248.21911 | Higher House Moor 1 | 176 | +0.5 | -36.2 local reference/stellar(?) |
| 36 | SD99280.22079 | Higher House Moor 2 | 176 | +0.5 | -36.2 local reference/stellar(?) |
| 37 | SD99426.22190 | Higher House Moor 3 | 129 | +1 | -21.3 midwinter sunrise |
| 38 | SD99547.21999 | Higher House Moor 6 | 220 | +0.5 | -26.9 midwinter sunrise/major lunar standstill |
| 39 | SD99529.22007 | Higher House Moor 7 | e-w | level | 0.07 equinox |
| 40 | SD99535.22011 | Higher House Moor 8 | 127 | +3 | -18.5 minor lunar standstill |
| 41 | SD99455.21793 | Higher House Moor 11 | 135 | level | -25.2 midwinter sunrise |
| 42 | SD98926.21384 | Higher House Moor 19 | 80 | +1 | 6.4 local reference |
| 43 | SD98867.21125 | Higher House Moor 21 | 168 | +2 | -33.7 local reference/stellar(?) |
| 44 | SD98735.21132 | Higher House Moor 23 | 160 | +1.5 | -32.7 local reference/stellar(?) |
| 45 | SD97526.16117 | Blackstone Edge | 120 | +1 | -16.7 Samain/Imbolc |
| 46 | SD96229.33883 | Shaw Dyke Hill | 155 | +2 | -30.7 major lunar standstill |
| 47 | SD97966.25723 | Edge End Moor 5 | 158 | level | -29.1 major lunar standstill |
| 48 | SD97955.25614 | Edge End Moor 6 | 92 | +2 | 0.2 equinox |
| 49 | SD99526.22613 | Turley Holes Edge 1 | 55 | level | 19.3 minor lunar standstill |
| 50 | SD99516.22624 | Turley Holes Edge 2 | 27 | level | 31.3 major lunar standstill |
| 51 | SD99530.22634 | Turley Holes Edge 3 | 141 | +1.5 | -26.3 midwinter sunrise |
| 52 | SE00208.35267 | Wether Hill Brigstone | 57 | +4 | 20.6 minor lunar standstill |
| 53 | SE00803.32611 | Roms Hill Stone | 324-144 | +1 - +2.3 | 29.1 major lunar standstill (32.4) |
| 54 | SD99063.35722 | Cuckoo Stone | 57-237 | level - +5 | 18.2 minor lunar standstill |
| 55 | SD98622.22744 | Buckstones | 54 | level and distant | 19.8 minor lunar standstill |
| 56 | SD99833.22367 | Turley Holes (053) | 45 | level | 24.2 midsummer sunrise |
| 57 | SD99443.22847 | Turley Holes (049) | 120-300 | level | -17.7/16.7 Imbolc/Beltane |
Table 5, solar alignments
| horizon event |
|
date | azimuth | frequency |
| midsummer sunrise | R I S I N G | 21stJune | 45° | 3 |
| Beltane Lughnasa | 8thMay 9thAugust | 60° | 1 | |
| equinox | 23rdMarch 23rdSeptember | 90° | 4 | |
| Imbolc Samain | 5thFebruary 6thNovember | 119° | 5 | |
| midwinter sunrise | 21stDecember | 135° | 6 | |
| due south |
|
|
180° | 1 |
| midwinter sunset | S E T T I N G | 21stDecember | 225° | 0 |
| Imbolc Samain | 5thFebruary 6thNovember | 245° | 2 | |
| equinox | 23rdMarch 23rdSeptember | 270° | 4 | |
| Beltane Lughnasa | 8thMay 9thAugust | 300° | 2 | |
| midsummer sunset | 21stJune | 315° | 1 |
Table 5b, lunar alignments
| event | declination | frequency |
| major lunar standstill | +/- 29.177° | 15 |
| minor lunar standstill | +/- 18.887° | 7 |
Table 5c, possible stellar alignments
| event | frequency |
| (c-32° declination = Capricornus) | 10 |
Almost all the long axes were found to indicate significant solar or lunar horizon events. Some stones in elevated positions gave two alignments and others, with only a short, close skyline ‘behind’ them, provided one alignment. A small number of stones, distributed across the whole area, did not correspond to a solar or lunar position; their declinations were grouped too far south. A website (www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky) will provide an image of the sky in any direction at any date. Speculatively, for 1500BC, the declinations of the stones all appeared to align with the rise of Capricornus.
DISCUSSION
Since no excavation has been undertaken it is difficult to arrive at anything more than speculative dating for the stones based on apparent associations with other features and comparisons with other areas. There is a possibility, for example, that a chronology might be inferred from a basis of sun-focused ritual being superceded by moon-focused activity. It might also be the case that observances attended by horizon events throughout the year would be more likely to be the concern of people in permanent dwellings, so that the erection of standing stones could well mark the end of transhumance and the beginning of over-wintering core stock.
It would be relatively easy to determine points on the horizon corresponding to solar events, since these occur every year; and it seems reasonable to conceive of family groups setting up their own local monuments for their own purposes and observances. The lunar orientations, which would require observations spanning a nineteen-year cycle, are not so readily explicable in terms of the separate actions of local people and it is more likely that small groups might call on the services of a shaman, or might await advice from further afield.
The possibility of stellar alignments is supported by the cluster of declinations being composed of stones spread across the whole of the study area. If there was a concentration from one subgroup only then the stones, if they align to anything, might well indicate a place on the hills comprising the horizon and refer to a real or irreal event or myth that is, of course, inaccessible now. The constellation Capricornus was rising above the horizon point indicated in the early Bronze Age; and this constellation, commonly construed as half ram or goat and half fish, was well known in the Classical Bronze Age. It is acknowledged that such circumstantial strands do not constitute anything approaching a convincing argument and that further work and study is required. At this stage it is only possible to outline a potential association.
Some of the cited standing stones appear to align with each other to form rows, however there is a difficulty here. With the exception of two definite rows that converge on the remnants of a stone circle, to be the subject of a separate paper, there is a problem of definition. Whilst it has been possible to generate a set of descriptors for stones-that-are-standing, rows are harder to define. How close do stones need to be? To what extent is intervisibility a factor? How many stones are needed to constitute a row? Such questions have not been addressed in the present paper.
The profiles of the stones have been recorded and clusters appear to form around ‘level topped rectilinear’, ‘right-angled triangle’ and ‘rounded curve’. It is presumed that the shape of a stone may have been a factor in its selection. No attempt has been made at this stage to explore the possibility of a vocabulary of shape.
One further area for examination concerns the way that some stones appear to have more than one function. There are those that, because of their elevated position, are able to indicate two horizon events; others seem to relate to features in the local topography and also have a solar/lunar/stellar reference. Whilst it is difficult to draw defensible inferences about prehistoric cognition and conceptualising, there does seem to be a parallel with the two ways of hafting an axe - in line with the shaft and at ninety degrees to it as an adze. One stone has two functions, two ways of being. Again, far from being a conclusion, this is offered for further consideration as a possible pattern of conception or regard.
A study of South Pennine standing stones will be informed by studies in related areas; in Lancashire, to the west of the main Pennine watershed; in the Peak District; and in the newly accessible Forest of Bowland. A study further afield (Joanna Wright pers. comm.) has noted Hebridean standing stones tend to be placed adjacent to streams or with a view of the sea, but not with a direct view of the nearest water or shoreline. This seems to parallel the stones sited above steep valleys where the line of drainage can be overlooked but not the stream immediately below. As with the suggestion about hafting, this is presented simply as an example of a direction which research might take.
This paper set out to describe and discuss the apparently purposive siting of standing stones located in the South Pennines. A tentative inference from this account would be that the stones mark places of significance and stand for the significant roles and actions enacted at those places. The most obvious conclusion that might be drawn is that the people who lived in the area in the late Neolithic and early Bronze Age made links between their immediate, day-to-day environment, social actions and lunar and solar movements. The implication of this is that the reality accomplished included a mythology or belief-set predicated in solar and lunar events. However, this assertion is far from secure and is offered here as an interpretive hypothesis of the vestiges of prehistoric life so far revealed by fieldwork. Essentially this is an agenda for further work.
REFERENCES
Bradley R (1998) The Significance of Monuments, Routledge
Bradley R (2000) An Archaeology of Natural Places, Routledge
Burl A (1983), Prehistoric Astronomy and Ritual, Shire Archaeology
Edmonds M and Seaborne T (2001) Prehistory in the Peak Tempus
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Ruggles C (1999), Astronomy in Prehistoric Britain and Ireland, Yale
Shepherd D. (2003), ‘Prehistoric Activity in the Central South Pennines’ in Hargreaves, J. (ed), Transactions of the Halifax Antiquarian Society Vol 2 new series 2003
Shepherd D (2004), ‘Local Monuments For Local People’ in Northern Earth 98 Summer 2004
Shepherd D (2006), South Pennines: the prehistory so far’ in Prehistory Research Section Bulletin 43 (2006), Yorkshire Archaeological Society.
Tilley C (1994) A Phenomenology of Landscape, Berg
West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council (1981), Faull M and Moorhouse S (eds), West Yorkshire: An Archaeological Survey to AD 1500.
Whittle A (2003) The Archaeology of People, Routledge
www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky
www.jgiesen.de/GeoAstro/
We would like to know more about this location. Please feel free to add a brief description and any relevant information in your own language.
Wir möchten mehr über diese Stätte erfahren. Bitte zögern Sie nicht, eine kurze Beschreibung und relevante Informationen in Deutsch hinzuzufügen.
Nous aimerions en savoir encore un peu sur les lieux. S'il vous plaît n'hesitez pas à ajouter une courte description et tous les renseignements pertinents dans votre propre langue.
Quisieramos informarnos un poco más de las lugares. No dude en añadir una breve descripción y otros datos relevantes en su propio idioma.