An Investigation of Three Megalithic Quoits in Cornwall

Description

This monograph reports upon the recent excavations of three Cornish megalithic monuments, known locally by the suffix as quoits, which were undertaken by Cornwall Archaeological Unit, with support from the Cornwall Archaeological Society, The Cornwall Heritage Trust and The Sustainable Trust. Two of the sites, Carwynnen and Trethevy, are Early Neolithic chamber tombs and the third, Hendraburnick, is a later Neolithic megalithic propped stone. All three sites are complex monuments and two, Carwynnen and Hendraburnick, revealed episodes of re-use for centuries after their construction. All three sites demonstrate the careful selection of materials in their construction, demonstrating the desire to use particular shapes and colours. There is evidence at all three sites for the selection of specific stones, and for a variety of depositional practices at Carwynnen Quoit and Hendraburnick Quoit, which went beyond the interment of human remains. At Hendraburnick these practices included the incorporation of rock art.