On our first visit to this Bronze Age ceremonial centre, we were ably defeated by driving rain and wind, which drained the energy from both ourselves, and the iPhone camera - costing us a hasty retreat, with a vow to return in better conditions.
For a full account of the rain-soaked visit, please refer to:
http://awalkamongstthestones.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/merrivale-ceremonial-complex-dartmoor.html
Thankfully on the return visit we were blessed with blue skies and sunshine, giving us the opportunity to walk the double stone rows with dry ground beneath our feet; and explore the adjacent stone circle and its close-to standing stone.
 |
| Double stone row A |
Julian Cope (1998) refers to Merrivale as the Plague Market in his gazetteer of megalithic Britain - so named because the plague victims of the 1600's banished to the moors - would be brought food at this place, by the healthy citizens. I have also found reference to this in the account by Legendary Dartmoor (2017) [Online] of the Bronze Age remains being referred to as Potato Market Or Plague Market citing William Crossing's Crossing's Guide to Dartmoor 1990 as historical reference.
 |
| Double stone row B |
 |
| Cist |
 |
| Merrivale stone circle |
 |
| Merrivale Standing stone |
Bibliography:
Cope, J. 1998 The Modern Antiquarian Thorsons, London
No comments:
Post a Comment