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Illustration of Zennor Quoit by
William Borlase 1769
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The remains of this
hillside Neolithic
chambered
portal tomb are quite difficult to find, but can be reached via a footpath
from the B3306. The capstone
which is over 5 metres long and weighs over 10 tons has collapsed and all traces
of the mound which would have covered the tomb has disappeared although much surrounding
cairn
material was recorded by William Borlase the vicar of Zennor in 1769. It is Borlase
we have to thank for the continuing existence of Zennor Quoit as he once paid
off a local farmer the sum of 5 shillings to stop him dismantling the tomb to
build a cow shed. It is unclear whether it was the farmers attempt at remodeling
or the 'excavation' of the tomb with explosives in the 19th century that caused
the capstone to fall. At various times cremated bones, a whetstone,
flints
and Neolithic pottery have been found within the chamber, while the 5 small upright
stones just beyond the tomb are thought to be part of the aborted cowshed.
The site may look to be in a sad state of disrepair, especially on a wet, windy
day, but this could be said to add to its beauty and melancholy, and it is still
well worth a visit. Like many other sites legend says it was built by a giant,
hence its other name of Giants Quoit and also that the stones are unmovable, or
if they are moved they will return to the hillside on their own. Nearby, the church
at Zennor contains a 15th century bench-end carved into the shape of a mermaid
that is claimed to have visited the village and fallen in love with the churchwarden's
son. The two of them are then said to have returned to the sea, where the unfortunate
lad can still be heard singing beneath the waves. |
