Well something totally boring, but not to me. I received the rather sparse copy of the Archaeology at Kirkdale yesterday. You can read about the Saxon Minster at the bottom of the page there is a link to more photographs. But two fascinating facts popped up. The stone below just outside the porch of the church, was it prehistoric? well as always speculation must be the answer but I will quote what the authors of the report said...
"Incised into this surface are very vestigial traces of decoration which can be matched by elements of that on a sculptured stone in the church, a cross of 10th century date. It seems likely that our stone was a 10th century grave-cover, perhaps the cover of a stone coffin. The stone was not, however, quarried or cut for this purpose, as it had earlier weathering i.e. it was available for re-use in late Anglo-Saxon times. One possibility is that it was originally a prehistoric standing stone - a menhir like the great stone still standing in Rudston churchyard; or even one of a circle."
As Paul and I always look for churches that have an early pagan association this was not surprising, the aura of 'deep mystery' and history pervades this neglected corner of the world. This stone by the way does not have the height of the great Rudston menhir but perhaps as Christianity settled on the land, the early monks, after all we have Lastingham just down the road, found this spot still encumbered with prehistoric stones and decided to settle.
 |
| Old stone with Paul for comparison |
The other note of interest, is a bit like local gossip but I will record it. Not far away from the church the 'Bone Cave' or Kirkdale Cave resides in which the bones of many different animals, including Rhinos and elephants were found. Well the following story does not take place in this cave but another three some distance away, in these lived in 1699-1711.......
"An 'Ethopian' lady named Naggs who had 'four hands'; she was the mistress of Sir Charles Duncombe, who died in 1711. The probable site of these caves have been located but they are now filled in."
I am still trying to work out where the second pair of hands were attached to but will not strain my mind too much. These three caves are now filled in, near Hold Cauldron Mill though.
https://northstoke.blogspot.com/2018/01/wednesday-10th-january.html
I am always keen to learn about links between pre-Christian times and church buildings. Common sense says that reusing stone is easier than quarrying it and bringing it to the site. Perhaps there was sometimes slightly malicious thinking behind the use of "pagan" stones - symbolic suppression of earlier belief systems.
ReplyDeleteSt.Gregorys has reused Saxon stone in its walls, but over time the church has been rebuilt in various places. The clue might be in the name St.Gregory, the man who wrote about taming the pagans by taking over their shrines gently. Archaeology is hard work, not just the digging but the interpretation of the evidence, there could be several stones in the fields. Good clue is that on the high ground nearby there are plenty of Bronze Age cairns.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDavid and I loved St Gregory's and always paid at least a couple of visits every year. It is lovely to see it again.
ReplyDeleteSoon I shall go and see it again and take a walk down to the dry beck, and perhaps even find Rahtz's burial stone. I remembered that my first report I bought was of Bordesley Abbey in Birmingham written by him.
ReplyDelete