Dear Chris, Your description of the V or Y stones seems to be accurate, but I cant remember if there are holes at the four ends of the V as well at the centre. If so then I can visualise a central flagpost with four supporting struts, But this does not explain the grooves.
There is a possibility that I do not take too seriously that they are the two ends of a V shaped trough, with two boards slotted into the grooves.
I also agree that they do not appear to be mark stones. As you say there are plenty of these around and they are altogether different.
I would not suggest turning them over or interfering with them in any way to see if there is anything on the other side. It would be a shame to disturb them, and perhaps illegal.
I think we have to work out what went into the grooves and the hole or holes, and whether it is broken or not.If they were intended to face each other, or be back to back, or lying on the ground.
I have seen slate troughs that where the sides were fitted into grooves, and iron bars fitted into holes to hold them together, but this may be irrelavent. It is strange that there is nothing similar at any other site on dartmoor. Or is there?
Best wishes, Roger.
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> Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:15:47 +0100
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Y stones on Dartmoor
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Dear Bernard
>
> In answer to your questions:
> The manor in which these stones lie is Lydford (I think) closely abutted by
> Chagford, Manaton and North Bovey. The three latter parish boundaries are all
> in very close proximity.
> I think the land in question belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall.
> There are a number of other Boundary stones nearby namely WB stones
> indicating ‘Warren Bounds’ of which 2 are within a couple of hundred meters on
> the opposite side of the road.
> There is a mine known as ‘Vitifer’ that has had numerous titles including ‘Birch
> Tor & Vitifer Mines, Old Vitifer, and others.
>
> The stones in question lie in an area once known as King’s Oven & Waterhill
> Mines situated between Wheal Caroline, Birch Tor & Vitifer Mines, West Vitifer,
> and Bushdown Mine.
>
> Personally I don’t think the stones are marked as lettering indicating boundary
> markers. If my memory serves me correct the straight lines forming the ‘V’ are
> about 15mm deep, and the hole at the ends are about 30mm deep and quite
> possibly the same diameter. Much to much trouble cutting out the channels to
> be lettering, and the hole at the end of each channel has been bored in my
> opinion.
>
> Thank you Bernard for your input, a number of very interesting questions
> which I hope I’ve answered for you. If I’ve made an error I’m sure someone will
> correct me.
>
> Kindest regards Chris Kelland
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