Sunday 24 April 2022

The Field Guide to the Glacial Erratics of Salisbury Plain - The Book.





The proof copies were sent out and well received by the expert reviewers: 
"Pithy, well researched, exhaustive."

I'm not sure I can be bothered with the hassle of looking for a larger print run, the information is out there and does anyone care enough about erratics to buy a book?

"said it was the best Stonehenge book she has ever read …..told her everything she wanted to know about Stonehenge."

Mike Parker Pearson has described it as the authoritative and definitive volume with an exhaustive and comprehensive handling of the subject. And he has read a copy.






And the first review is in from someone who hasn't seen or read the book:

".. I have a Geography degree which included studies of glaciation processes etc, and since having been a Chartered Librarian specialising in information, I place prime importance on accuracy and objectivity. As I expected, you are predictably sadly not engaging with the subject sensibly, unlike Dr Brian John. Your so - called publication is simply a parrot-like mimic of Mike Pitts' dismissive remark in his recent book. Sand, head in, and ostrich are the keywords that apply. You take a purely binary stance and insist on adopting an adversarial approach instead of showing consideration. Putin, aggression and imperialism over Ukraine are not dissimilar. Some people insist they know-it-all whilst immediately saying there is nothing-to-know.....But do you think they are serious in their pursuit of all the possible scientific evidence? Ostrich, sand, head in, "I see no ship", looking with my blind eye' all spring to mind. Also, flat-earthers."



 

Saturday 2 April 2022

All Cannings Cross Round Barrow?

On the edge of the downland promontory above All Cannings Cross I think there is a round barrow. It wouldn't be unusual to find a barrow in such a position overlooking the vale. The Historic environment record only has an undated ring ditch in the same approximate position.  https://services.wiltshire.gov.uk/HistoryEnvRecord/Home/ViewHERItem?HER=MWI8613 

Is the ring what I think is the ditch around the barrow or is it the feature to the south of the mound on the Lidar - I couldn't find it on the ground. 

There is a chance that the mound is from the digging of a dewpond to the north west of it. There isn't a pond there now but maybe just a hint there was an unmapped one? On balance I don't think so but I like to consider other possibilities.


Click photos to embiggen











Aerial from Mike McQueen