Sarsen Stone - our June talk

 We were fortunate to have Katy Whitaker giving our June talk via Zoom about Sarsen stone; I have looked Katy up on the Reading University PhD site 'The role of sarsen stone in southern Britain. An archaeological and ethno-historical approach to an ancient industry. Sarsen stone is found in various locations across southern England. And 'Sarsen stone is found in various locations across southern England. It played an important role in the building of some of Britain's great prehistoric monuments, including Stonehenge and Avebury in Wiltshire. It has been significant to communities from the Neolithic to the present day, employed in the manufacture of portable tools; used in both prosaic and monumental building; and as a key component of landscapes which today are managed in reference to sarsen's geological, ecological, and cultural importance. Yet unlike other stone types, sarsen has attracted little research in its own right. Invariably characterised as a local stone, its extraction, transport, use, and disposal, have not attracted the same kind of theoretical attention as other 'exotic' rocks. In order to redress the balance, this research aims to contextualise sarsen as a material rather than as a monument'. Funded by the AHRC through the South, West and Wales Doctoral Training Partnership.

I took notes during the lecture, and photos from the screen, and was very impressed by the context Katy put the Sarsen in, they played a very important role.

Sarsen stone is found mainly in south east England 

Katy went through their formation

where they are found

they have been used decoratively

as building materials and fence posts

Apparently 'Between 1798 and 1819, Whiteknights was the scene of vast extravagance and wild entertainments, all at the Marquis' expense. It became the most celebrated estate in the Country: magnificently furnished, displaying many great masters, with a wonderful wine cellar and an unrivalled library.

Old Totterdown is a site near Marlborough where there is an abundance of Sarsen stone. A particularly good recent paper by Katy Whitaker can be found here.

Lastly a view across the Downs with what look like a Sarsen stone in the foreground.

For a better idea of Sarsen stone, please have a look a video of the talk.