Carwynnen: The Project Continues…

Starting next week, the next stage of the project to restore the Giant’s Quoit at Carwynnen will be taking place. The plan is that on Friday 2nd May the remaining two supports, or orthostats, for the capstone will be raised. The public are welcome to watch this event, which should start at about 11am.

Carwynnen, the first upright, upright! (March 2014)

The completion of the raising of the uprights will mark the culmination of a week of education events at the quoit – the capstone itself will be raised and placed later in the year (this is currently planned for Midsummer, Saturday 21st June).

Five schools will be visiting the quoit during next week, when the students will be taught a little about the archaeological processes of excavating, searching, sieving, and cleaning finds by professional archaeologists from the Historic Environment Service. They will be taught about the importance of Neolithic monuments in the Cornish Landscape, the age and weight of the stones and how the ancients made use of their surroundings to live, eat and clothe themselves. Art activities will take place in the marquee, along with an exhibition and quiz. A basic snapshot of the activities each day is as follows:

• Guess the Weight of the Stones – An introduction with all the team
• Gory Neolithic Demonstration – by Experimental Archaeologist Sally Herriet
• Honeysuckle Rope-making – by Experimental Archaeologist Jacqui Woods
• Sieving, Searching and Trowelling – with Community Archaeologist Richard Mikulski
• One Timeline, One book, One Spinning Image – with Artist and Designer Dominica Williamson
• Time Capsule Brainstorm – with Project Leader Pip Richards

Finally, on Sunday May 4th, Julian Richards, “Archaeologist and Broadcaster” will be de-mystifying the ancient art of moving large stones, utilising wooden levers, sledges, rollers and honeysuckle ropes. This will be a free workshop starting at around 10am. If you would like to participate, please register your interest with pip.sustrust@gmail.com or ring the Sustainable Trust on 01209 831718 – safety or stout boots and a hard hat will be required for all those taking part.

See all the details, finds and future events at their website or on their Facebook page ‘Carwynnen Quoit’.

“The Sustainable Trust is grateful for the support of The Cornwall Heritage Trust, Sita Cornwall Trust and The Heritage Lottery Fund who are currently financing this work. We also thank all the volunteers who have made this project possible.”