A Giant's House: Exploring Trethevy Quoit

In the heart of Cornwall, England, stands a testament to a bygone era: Trethevy Quoit. Known locally as "the giant's house," this impressive megalithic structure is a well-preserved example of a portal dolmen, a type of burial chamber dating back to the Neolithic period (around 3500-2500 BC).

Standing at nearly 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall, Trethevy Quoit is formed by five massive upright stones topped with a giant capstone. The structure's name itself offers a clue to its origins. "Trethevy" translates from Cornish to "place of the graves," hinting at its likely purpose as a communal tomb for ancestors.

A Look Inside the Giant's House

Unlike many dolmens, Trethevy Quoit has a unique feature: a small, moveable stone at the front that once allowed access to the chamber. However, for preservation reasons, this entrance is rarely opened today. Interestingly, the back of the chamber has collapsed inwards, adding to the monument's intrigue.

More Than Just a Tomb

While the primary function of Trethevy Quoit was likely as a burial chamber, some archaeologists believe it may have served other purposes as well. The possibility exists that these dolmens held a deeper significance, functioning as religious or ceremonial sites for the Neolithic people.

The Mysterious Hole

The hole in the capstone is a source of fascination and speculation. Here's what we know:

  • It's a mystery: Archaeologists haven't pinpointed the exact purpose of the hole. There are a few interesting theories though.

  • Astronomical observations: Some believe it was used to track the movement of stars or the sun.

  • Soul hole: Another theory suggests it was a symbolic passage for the spirits of the dead to travel to the afterlife.

  • Unintentional: It's also possible the hole is simply the result of the stone's natural weathering or damage over time.

A Walk Through Time

Trethevy Quoit stands on a promontory overlooking a scenic confluence of streams. The surrounding landscape, including the imposing Caradon Hill and the granite massif of Minions Moor, adds to the mystical aura of this ancient site.

Today, Trethevy Quoit is cared for by the English Heritage and is open to the public. Visitors can explore this remarkable piece of history and imagine the lives of the people who built it thousands of years ago.


© All rights reserved

Popular Posts

Devilishly Intriguing: Exploring Oxfordshire's Mysterious Quoits

Image
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Oxfordshire, England, lies a site shrouded in legend and history: the Devil's Quoits. This evocative name hints at its ancient past, a past that stretches back 4, 000-5, 000 years to the Neolithic period. While not as widely known as its larger cousin, Stonehenge, the Devil's Quoits possess a charm and mystery all their own. A Circle Whispers Tales: Standing as a henge and stone circle, the Quoits boast an impressive circumference of 100 meters. Originally consisting of around 50 massive stones, only 17 remain upright today. Yet, even in their partially restored state, they whisper tales of a bygone era. Imagine Neolithic people gathering within this sacred space, conducting rituals under the watchful gaze of the sun and moon. What ceremonies did they perform? What beliefs did they hold? The stones, silent yet eloquent, leave these questions to fuel our imaginations. The Devil's Game: The name, "Devil's Quoi
Read more

Lanhill Long Barrow: A Window into Neolithic Britain

Image
Lanhill Long Barrow also known as Hubba's Low, is a Neolithic long barrow located in Wiltshire, England. It is one of the best-preserved long barrows in the Cotswolds-Severn Group, and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The barrow is oriented east-west and measures 56 meters long and 4 meters high. It has a roughly oval shape, with a rounded end at the east and a slightly pointed end at the west. The barrow is made up of earth and rubble, and is surrounded by a ditch. The barrow was excavated in 1909, and three burial chambers were discovered. However, only the southernmost burial chamber survives today. The chamber is rectangular in shape and measures 2.5 meters long, 1.5 meters wide, and 1 meter high. It is made up of large sarsen stones, and the roof is now supported by steel bars. The burial chamber contained the remains of at least 12 people, as well as a variety of grave goods, including pottery, flint tools, and jewelry. The grave goods suggest that the barrow was used for com
Read more

Stones of Avebury

Image
Avebury is a village in the county of Wiltshire in England known for containing a significant number of ancient monuments. The most famous monument is the Avebury Stone Circle. Avebury Stone Circle is the world's largest stone circle, comprising of other monuments within it, including a cove and two stone circles. The stone circle is located inside the henge that encircles part of Avebury village. Some stones at Avebury have names and these names are based on the stories that are related to the stones. Most of the stones are part of the stone circles. But two of them form a stone setting that is believed to be older than the stone circles. DEVIL'S CHAIR This stone got its name from a naturally formed seat on one side of the stone. Directly above the seat is a hole known as "chimney". Legend has it that if you run around the stone anti-clockwise, you will summon the Devil. RING STONE The Ring Stone is a broken piece of stone once smashed by an enraged church minister.
Read more