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Post by theshee on Feb 9, 2015 8:04:45 GMT 10
Searching through a collection of lawn ornaments for sale, archaeologist and TV presenter James Balme stumbled upon a large, grey stone with unique carvings on it. Sensing it might be more than just large, grey stone with unique carvings on it, he purchased it, brought it home and discovered he was right: It was more than just a large, grey stone with unique carving on it. It was ancient, and possibly exhibited writing from a previously unknown language. Weighing between 55 and 65 pounds (25 and 30 kilograms), the stone stands around 18 inches (46 centimeters), and is about 5.5 inches (14 cm) wide. The carvings, on the other hand, are not so easily described, as Balme says that the "pattern carved may be some form of writing," and was used as "a keystone from an archway or indeed a vaulted ceiling." Obviously, this is not your typical yard sale find. While the exact date is uncertain, Balme believes it belonged to the Anglo-Saxon period, an era beginning in 410 when the Roman Empire abandoned Britain and ending in 1066 when William the Conqueror invaded England. In an effort to identify the use and exact date of the stone carving, Balme is seeking help to discover more about the stone's mysteries using a new form of research - Twitter. We wish him well on this endeavor. link
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Post by brillbilly on Feb 10, 2015 1:11:05 GMT 10
What a beautiful find shee,!
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Post by quercus on Feb 12, 2015 0:07:02 GMT 10
One thing I am pretty sure about is that, whilst technology has advanced in leaps and bounds since the beginning of civilisation, human nature has changed but little, particularly when it comes to practical jokes or just plain having a laugh at somebody else's expense.
So, what's to say this isn't an apprentice stone mason's training/test piece.
"Here you go, laddie, grab that lump of granite, or whatever, and let's be seeing what you can do. Then we'll see about letting you loose on the cathedral roof. OK? Off you go then... call me when you're done!"
Four days later, the proud apprentice turns in his work and gets top marks for his choice of material, neatness of his chisel work and originality of design.
"Yes laddie, well done, that has caught the mood nicely, specially those curved twirly bits across the front face; that's really spiritual looking stuff. Good job! Now, here's a beer and two ham sandwiches. Off you go then, up on the scaffold and start work on that gable at the East end. Ivor will show you where to start."
The apprentice duly departs and the boss turns to his foreman,
"F*ck me, Burt, that's not a bad bit of work young Jason has done.... much better than that tatty old keystone you knocked out for the South arch. Tell you what, we'll use this instead. Never mind the Latin inscription the Bishop wanted..... we'll just tell him it's ancient Cretin for God loves us all no matter what. He's Cornish and won't know any better. LOL".
(Pause for the passing of much history)
Then, nine hundred and twenty seven years later, whilst searching through a collection of lawn ornaments for sale, archaeologist and TV presenter James Balme stumbled upon a large, grey stone with unique carvings on it.
"Aha, maybe I can get a TV programme or two out of this old bit of stone work......."
And life goes on ........
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