1 FROM YOUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS AN UPDATE FROM CORNWALL ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY S AREA REPRESENTATIVES THIS MONTH S STORIES: SEPTEMBER 2017 VANDALISM AT ANCIENT SITE MAKES NATIONAL HEADLINES Stone stackers at ancient sites could face jail, warns Historic England, The Guardian Cornish Times, 1 st September Stowe's Pound fairy stack creators 'are historic vandals', BBC website ALSO: Focus on Cornwall s rich medieval legacy New hope for vulnerable Respryn Bridge VANDALISM AT STOWE S POUND Photograph: Iain Rowe Stowe s Pound is one of Cornwall s most significant Neolithic sites. The massive boulder wall that encircles the hilltop is a breath-taking testament to the ability of these people to make their mark on their landscape. Understandably this site draws many visitors, most of whom are content to look, think, reflect and enjoy. However, some, out of ignorance, or a misplaced sense of fun, have taken to constructing fairy castles using the
2 stones of this ancient wall. While this might be a harmless pastime on, say, a beach, it is inappropriate on an archaeological site of international importance. Worse still, it is illegal since this is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Local Area Representatives, such as Iain Rowe and Brian Oldham, have been concerned about stone-stacking for some time. This month they drew the attention of the Cornish Times (a local paper with a genuine interest in the historic environment) and the BBC to the problem. Local archaeologists Roy Goutte and Stuart Dow also spoke out powerfully. Many of you will have seen or heard Brian on local television and Radio Cornwall. National newspapers, such as the Guardian, picked up on the story and there was even a mention on Radio 4 s Today programme. Photograph: Iain Rowe But will this publicity have any effect? Only time will tell. This may not be the worst example of heritage crime but it is useful for the general public to be aware that the law does afford protection for certain sites. Dan Ratcliffe, Inspector of Ancient Monuments at Historic England South West, summed up the matter perfectly: "Taking away the stones is like rubbing out history". MINDING THE MEDIEVAL Your Area Representatives try to report on archaeological features of all periods. Scheduled Monuments take priority but everything is of interest. Additionally, a special theme is chosen each year. Suitable training is provided by experts. Last year, barrows had special attention; for the next year our special theme will be medieval archaeology. Andrew Langdon explains what to look for in a medieval cross. This is Wydeyeat Cross, Cardinham.
3 Prehistoric and Industrial Archaeology are very well represented in the county but the medieval legacy is all around us field systems, churches, farms, streamworks, crosses, castles and much, much more but is often overlooked. To help us identify and understand medieval sites better Ann Preston-Jones and Andrew Langdon led a training day in the Bodmin area. Our President, Nick Johnson, and Area Representatives Convenor, Peter Cornall, joined us. Despite the cold wet weather, it was a memorable outing. After visiting Respryn Bridge (see later), we explored Cardinham Castle, once one of the largest and most important in the county. It is on private land but the owner kindly gave us consent to visit. As the photograph below shows, it was a massive complex. This motte and bailey castle may have been built soon after the Norman Conquest by Richard Fitz Turold, steward and tenant-in-chief of Robert, Count of Mortain (William the Conqueror s half-brother). The family adopted the name de Cardinan, or de Cardinham, in the 12 th century, although the line died out in 1256, which may have led to the castle being abandoned. The family was highly influential within Cornwall and were patrons of Tywardreath priory. The size of the bailey can be gauged from this photo. The motte is in the background. Priscilla Oates is President of the Federation of Old Cornwall Societies and Area Representative for Cury, Gunwalloe, Gweek, Helston, Landewednack, Mawgan-in-Meneage and Mullion.
4 Although, only earthworks remain, the site is in good condition, which shows how vital it is for sites to be in the possession of sympathetic owners. Next came two crosses in widely different situations. Wydeyeat Cross near Cardinham is safely placed on a grassy triangle and easily visible. Callywith Cross, near Bodmin, on the other hand, is surrounded by busy new roads and engulfed by vegetation. Andrew Langdon was determined not to waste the manpower available, so, with saws and secateurs, the cross was soon revealed (see below). An elite advance guard forces a way to Callywith Cross. Photograph: Ann Preston-Jones Callywith Cross revealed Bodmin was our next stop. This important and fascinating town has suffered repeated blows, beginning with the Dissolution of the Monasteries and followed in modern times with the loss of its prison, assizes, county town status, railway stations, barracks and St Lawrence s Hospital. The cuts associated with austerity policies have twisted the knife and the town has become poorer, besides falling prey to some appalling development. And yet it was, in medieval times, the foremost town in the county. However, with a little effort, it is possible to find tantalising survivals of medieval Bodmin: of the priory, chapels, burgage plots and its magnificent parish church.
5 The area around Priory House and Park is looking particulalrly down-at-heel, with the likelihood that developers will move in soon. Will this be an opportunity for more archaeological investigation of this nationally significant site? Nick Johnson and Ann Preston-Jones described the excavation carried out at the time when a nuclear bunker for the Council was being constructed. We agreed that the area surrounding the exposed walls needed some attention and that the remains deserved to be better known by locals and visitors alike. The remains of Bodmin Priory church unearthed during an excavation in 1985 by the Historic Environment Service, with consolidation work completed in 2007. Our next site was the beautiful but rapidly declining chantry chapel of St Thomas, next to St Petroc s parish church. Although anti-social activities in the crypt have been stopped by the secure fixing of an iron gate, damage to the main part of the building continues. Evidence of drinking and burning were plain to see. The interior of St Thomas s Chapel. Photo: Ann Preston-Jones
6 On a happier note, Linda Edyvean spotted this lovely carved stone incorporated into the 19 th century extension of the east wall of the parish church. The left half of the shield shows the arms of Bodmin priory, while the right, though heavily eroded, looks like those of Prior Vivian (whose tomb is inside the church). The last site was Ruthernbridge, where the repeated damage caused by tractors and trailers has been halted by a very ingenious installation (see photo below, which was taken in sunny April). These stout wooden posts were installed earlier this year and, so far, this lovely medieval bridge has been protected from damage. Andrew and Ann organised an excellent day, not only taking us to a variety of sites but also enabling us to see a range of problems facing the historic environment, as well as demonstrating some solutions and success stories.
7 Nick Johnson (far right of picture) and Peter Cornall (second from right) lead the discussion at the end of the training day. Photo: Ann Preston-Jones RESPRYN BRIDGE IS AN ANSWER IN SIGHT? The condition of Cornwall s bridges will be considered at the next Area Representatives meeting on 14 th October at Wheal Martyn Museum. On our training day we visited Respryn Bridge. Here we met Robin Paris who has been closely monitoring the bridge for some time. We saw that the repairs carried out last year have themselves suffered impacts from traffic. This was dispiriting but it seems that Historic England and Cornwall Council have devised a very cunning solution that is likely to deter the drivers of vehicles that are unsuited to the bridge. More will be revealed in the coming months. Andrew Langdon describes the history of Respryn Bridge. Photo: Ann Preston-Jones
8 Damage to the repaired section of the upstream parapet of Respryn Bridge Area Representatives would love to hear from fellow CAS members, and the general public, about any feature of the historic environment in their parishes, whether a new discovery, something causing concern, or even just to answer queries. If you have any concerns, or new information, about any archaeological feature, please contact the Area Representative for the parish. If you do not know who that is, just look at the inside back cover of the latest journal, Cornish Archaeology 54, or contact our secretary, Sophie Meyer, at: secretary@cornisharchaeology.org.uk. Roger Smith, 1 st October 2017