Archaeologists are constantly asked is 'How did ancient people move large stones?'. The thought of people moving 2/20/200 tonne stones thousands of years ago just seems impossible. But what if I told you we have a lot of photos/video of people moving huge stones today? 🧵1/ pic.twitter.com/tjNg1LHxEw
— Dr Hugh Thomas (@hughs_news) January 8, 2025
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The tradition of "black stone examination" in Scottish universities is a fascinating aspect of academic history, with roots dating back to at least the 16th century. Here's a summary of the references and information about this practice (produced by Perplexity AI agent):
The black stone examination was once a common practice among the five ancient Scottish universities. The earliest known reference to this tradition dates back to 1531 at the University of St Andrews[1]. By 1647, the University Commissioners referred to the examination on the "Black-staine" as a practice common to all Scottish universities[1].
- An "examen quod appellant nigri lapidis" (examination which they call of the black stone) is mentioned in a 1580 regulation[1].
- The reputed black stone of St Andrews University, now in Parliament Hall, appears to be the base of a column[1].
- In 1659, a regulation mentioned that library fees should be paid before a graduand could proceed to "laureation" (graduation) on the black stone[1].
- The University of Glasgow's Blackstone Chair, created in the mid-1770s, incorporated this tradition into a more elaborate piece of furniture[1].
- Both institutions once held black stone examinations, although no trace of the stones used survives[1].
- According to one account, the black marble tombstone of the founder, Bishop Elphinstone, was used at graduation[1].
The black stone examination was typically an oral examination conducted in Latin or Greek. At the University of Glasgow, for example:
- Students sat on the black stone (later, in the Blackstone Chair) while professors tested their knowledge of chosen books[1].
- An hourglass was used to time the examination[1].
- The examination was part of the process for "promotion" to the next stage in the degree structure[1].
The practice of black stone examination evolved over time:
- At Glasgow, the tradition was incorporated into the elaborate Blackstone Chair in the 1770s[1].
- The Universities Act of 1858 led to the introduction of written examinations, largely ending the practice of oral examinations on the black stone[1].
The black stone examination was more than just an academic test; it was a ritual element that added solemnity and tradition to the examination process. Its widespread use across Scottish universities highlights a shared academic culture and tradition unique to Scotland's educational institutions.
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_stane
[3] https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/blackstone-chair-glasgow-scotland
[4] https://museumoftheuniversityofstandrews.wordpress.com/2018/05/09/st-andrews-and-the-blackstone/
[5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/1zz8mu7wSai1ARME0WuMSw
[6] https://collections.st-andrews.ac.uk/collection/furniture/1004089
[7] https://collections.st-andrews.ac.uk/item/black-stone/1000995
[8] https://citydays.com/places/blackstone-chair/
[9] https://electricscotland.com/education/edu18.htm
[10] https://special-collections.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/2017/12/11/the-exam-season-is-upon-us/
I have written before about Darwin's Stone at Stonehenge - https://www.sarsen.org/2014/05/darwin-stonehenge-and-worms.html where he is investigating the actions of worms in burying stones.
The location of the enigmatic engravings on the Altar Stone shown in Richard Atkinson's 1958 photos that I found in the Historic England archives is a bit of a mystery. Without doubt they are on the Altar Stone at Stonehenge but the caption "Surface Of Altar Stone From North East" doesn't seem right. We have his photo of the North East side of the Altar Stone (below, last photo) exposed after excavation and it doesn't match. I thought it must be the eastern end of the stone but again there are problems. The photo shows the surface of the stone and a section of soil butting up to it, indicated in pink in the diagram below. His excavation photo shows he cleared the end so there is not section of soil left.
However examining one of the Historic England photos of the engravings reveals in the top right corner a groove in the top surface of the stone, above where the soil section is. Circled in pink in the marked up diagram version (Due to copyright I can't reproduce the photo).
My own photo of the middle section of the Altar Stone surface is moss free and shows an identical groove on the south side as it goes under Stone 55b. Other photos from other sources also show this groove.
Atkinson's excavation photo shows he dug on the south side of the middle section of the Altar Stone and left a baulk of soil under 55b. A photo taken of that excavation "looking" north east would match the features indicated. The eroded top edge of the Altar Stone appears very similar to that in the photo as well.
I am convinced the location of the engravings is on the south side of the middle section of the Altar Stone.
UPDATE - Aha! I have found more photos where the caption seems to mix up North and South, if 156 is on the left and 55B on the right you are facing North not looking from it.
"Centre Of Altar Stone From N.W. Stone 156 On Left Stone 55B On Right".https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/item/P50100
"S.E. End Of Altar Stone From N.W. Stone 156 On Left Stone 55B On Right." https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/item/P50099
I'm booking a visit to the archive to check them and others out.
I note the publishers of the deeply flawed paper - A bluestone boulder at Stonehenge: implications for the glacial transport theory - have added a warning to it:
