Trethevy Quoit, Neolithic dolmen in St Cleer, Cornwall, England
Trethevy Quoit is a Neolithic burial chamber in St Cleer, Cornwall, built from five upright stones topped by a heavy capstone. The structure stands about 9 feet tall and resembles a giant stone table beneath which people could once shelter or perform ceremonies.
This megalithic site was built during the early Neolithic when farming communities first settled in Britain and began constructing permanent structures. It has stood on this hillside for thousands of years, witnessing the transformation of the surrounding landscape and the people who inhabited it.
The stone structure carries the local name 'Giant's House', reflecting how people in the area have spoken about it through generations. In Cornish, it is called 'Chi-an-Kowr', which holds the same meaning in the region's traditional language.
The monument sits on privately managed land between St Cleer and Darite, accessible to visitors via established walking paths. Bring suitable footwear, as the terrain is hilly and can be damp or muddy, particularly after rain.
The heavy capstone features a circular hole near its highest point, possibly used for astronomical observations or ritual purposes in ancient times. This opening remains puzzling and hints at the precision with which the ancient builders designed this remarkable structure.
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