Stripple Stones, an enigmatic prehistoric monument nestled in the wild heart of Cornwall’s Bodmin Moor, continues to fascinate historians, archaeologists, and curious travellers alike. This remarkable site combines the features of a henge and a stone circle, making it unique not only in Cornwall but also in the wider landscape of Britain’s ancient monuments. Standing amid windswept moorland and surrounded by rolling hills, Stripple Stones offers a powerful reminder of the ingenuity and spirituality of Britain’s early inhabitants. To understand the significance of this site, it is essential to explore its history, construction, archaeological discoveries, and the theories that surround its purpose.
Location and Setting
The Stripple Stones henge lies on the southern slope of Hawks Tor in the parish of Blisland, roughly ten kilometres north-east of the town of Bodmin. Bodmin Moor, known for its rugged granite tors and sweeping vistas, provides a dramatic backdrop for the ancient monument. The remote location is typical of many prehistoric sites, suggesting that early communities chose places of natural power and seclusion for their sacred or communal gatherings. Surrounded by heather, rough grasses, and scattered boulders, the Stripple Stones blend seamlessly into the wild beauty of the moor, a landscape largely unchanged since Neolithic times.
The Structure of the Henge and Stone Circle
What sets the Stripple Stones apart from other Cornish stone circles is its distinctive combination of a henge and a stone circle. A henge is characterised by a circular earthwork consisting of an external bank and an internal ditch. Within this earthwork, ancient builders set a ring of standing stones. The Stripple Stones circle itself is approximately forty-four to forty-seven metres in diameter, while the surrounding henge stretches to about fifty-three metres across. This means the site is not only impressive in scale but also carefully planned and executed.
Originally, around twenty-eight granite stones were placed to form the circle, though many have since fallen or disappeared over the millennia. Today only a handful remain upright, but the arrangement is still discernible to the trained eye. At the heart of the circle lies a huge fallen menhir, or single standing stone, measuring roughly three and a half metres in length and over a metre in width. This central stone, now split into several pieces, may once have stood upright, acting as a focal point for ceremonies or as a marker aligned with celestial events.
Construction and Techniques
The builders of Stripple Stones faced the formidable challenge of shaping and transporting massive granite stones across the uneven moorland. Although the exact methods remain uncertain, archaeologists believe the stones were likely sourced from nearby outcrops and dragged into place using wooden rollers, ropes, and sheer manpower. The stones were set into shallow sockets approximately half a metre deep, a technique that has allowed several to withstand thousands of years of weathering. The precision of the circle and the deliberate placement of the bank and ditch show a sophisticated understanding of geometry and engineering among the prehistoric people who created it.
Archaeological Investigations
The most significant recorded excavation of Stripple Stones took place in 1905 under the direction of archaeologist H. St. George Gray. His work revealed fascinating insights into the monument’s past. Within the surrounding ditch, he discovered fragments of burnt flint, flakes of worked flint, charcoal, oak timbers, and the bones of cattle. These findings suggest that ritual activities, possibly involving fire and feasting, were carried out here. The presence of oak timbers may indicate wooden structures or ceremonial posts, while the animal bones point to offerings or communal gatherings.
These discoveries strengthen the idea that Stripple Stones served as more than a mere gathering place. Instead, it likely played a role in ceremonial life, perhaps marking seasonal changes, honouring deities, or celebrating key moments in the agricultural calendar. The evidence of burning and the careful placement of objects within the ditch underscore the sacred nature of the site.
Astronomical Alignments and Theories
One of the most captivating aspects of Stripple Stones is its potential connection to astronomical events. Scholars and enthusiasts have long noted the possible alignments between the monument and significant celestial phenomena. The entrance to the henge, located on its south-west side, appears to point towards the nearby Trippet Stones, another notable stone circle. This may symbolise a relationship between the two sites, perhaps linking them in a network of sacred landscapes.
Additionally, the henge features three semi-circular projections on its outer bank, facing north-west, north-east, and east. These projections may have been designed to frame key moments in the sky. For example, from the position of the central stone, the north-eastern projection aligns with the rising of the bright star Capella around 1250 BC. Other alignments correspond to the setting sun on May Day and the sunrise during the equinox, as well as the major northern moonrise. Such associations suggest that the site may have served as an early form of observatory, helping its builders track the passage of time and the cycles of the heavens.
Restoration and Modern Conservation
Over the centuries, Stripple Stones suffered from natural decay, agricultural activity, and the removal of stones. In more recent times, efforts have been made to conserve and restore the monument. Modern archaeologists and heritage organisations have worked to re-erect several fallen stones, repair damage caused by erosion, and remove intrusive modern boundaries that once cut through the site. These measures have not only preserved the monument for future generations but also helped to re-establish the visual impact of the stone circle within its dramatic landscape.
Today, visitors to Stripple Stones can experience the site much as it might have appeared thousands of years ago. Although only a fraction of the original stones remain, the atmosphere of mystery and awe is undiminished. The sense of stepping back into a time when the movements of the sun, moon, and stars governed human life is almost tangible.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Stripple Stones stands out as the only known henge in Cornwall containing a stone circle. This rarity alone makes it a site of national importance. Its unique combination of architectural features provides valuable evidence about the variety of ceremonial practices during Britain’s late Neolithic and early Bronze Age. The monument’s design reveals a society that was both technically capable and deeply spiritual, able to organise large-scale construction projects and attuned to the rhythms of nature.
Theories about the purpose of the Stripple Stones range from the purely astronomical to the deeply religious. Some researchers argue that the site functioned as a prehistoric calendar, helping communities predict solstices, equinoxes, and lunar events essential for agricultural planning. Others propose that it served as a place of worship, where rituals connected the community to ancestral spirits or celestial deities. Whatever the exact purpose, there is little doubt that Stripple Stones held great meaning for those who built and used it.
Visiting Stripple Stones Today
For modern visitors, a trip to Stripple Stones offers more than just a glimpse of ancient stones. It provides a journey into the past, a chance to walk in the footsteps of people who lived thousands of years ago. The moorland setting, with its sweeping views and rugged beauty, enhances the sense of mystery. Travellers are advised to wear sturdy footwear and prepare for changeable weather, as Bodmin Moor’s climate can shift quickly. A visit in early morning or at sunset, when the stones cast long shadows across the grass, can be particularly evocative.
Local guides and historians often highlight the site’s relationship with other nearby monuments, such as the Trippet Stones and the many standing stones and cairns scattered across Bodmin Moor. Together, these sites form a prehistoric landscape that speaks of ancient communities who observed the skies, celebrated the changing seasons, and sought to express their beliefs through monumental architecture.
Conclusion
Stripple Stones remains one of Cornwall’s most captivating prehistoric monuments, a place where history, mystery, and natural beauty converge. As the only known stone circle within a henge in Cornwall, it occupies a special place in Britain’s archaeological record. The craftsmanship of its builders, the evidence of ritual activity, and the tantalising astronomical alignments all point to a culture both sophisticated and deeply connected to the cosmos. Whether viewed as an ancient observatory, a site of spiritual ceremonies, or a gathering place for early farmers, Stripple Stones continues to inspire wonder. Standing amidst the windswept moor, visitors cannot help but feel a connection to the distant past, when the movements of the heavens guided human life and the enduring stones bore silent witness to the mysteries of time.
