Zennor Quoit

Zennor Quoit is a ruined megalithic burial chamber or dolmen, located on a moor about a mile (1. 6 km) east of the village of Zennor, Cornwall, England, UK. It dates to 2500–1500 BC. Aside from the 12. 5tonne roof, which collapsed some time between 1770 and 1865, the chamber is in good condition. Structural descriptionZennor Quoit is located on the West Penwith moors about a mile to the east of the village of Zennor . It is accessed by the B3306 road about two miles from St. Ives. From the road, the site may be reached via a trail from a spot named "Eagle's Nest" . The quoit measures 12. 8m in total in diameter. Five stones support the roof, a massive slab measuring 18x and weighing an estimated 12. 5tonne, which has slipped from its original position, with one end resting on the ground. The chamber itself consists of seven upright stones and was originally covered by a cairn. It had a small porch at its entrance for the purpose of entering the chamber and also had an antechamber with an even smaller entrance. 300m to the east is Sperris Quoit, although this is in a considerably less fine state than the Zennor Quoit. HistoryThe chamber dates to between 2500–1500 BC and is one of eight remaining quoits on the West Penwith moors. Archaeological evidence unearthed on the site has indicated that the chamber was used for the burial of bodies which at some point would be cremated and removed and replaced with others. The purpose of the exterior stones are believed to have been for resting the dead bodies against for the flesh to be devoured by birds before burial. Excavations at the site have revealed flint and Neolithic style pottery and cremated bones.

Zennor Quoit is a ruined megalithic burial chamber or dolmen, located on a moor about a mile (1. 6 km) east of the village of Zennor, Cornwall, England, UK. It dates to 2500–1500 BC. Aside from the 12. 5tonne roof, which collapsed some time between 1770 and 1865, the chamber is in good condition. Structural descriptionZennor Quoit is located on the West Penwith moors about a mile to the east of the village of Zennor . It is accessed by the B3306 road about two miles from St. Ives. From the road, the site may be reached via a trail from a spot named "Eagle's Nest" . The quoit measures 12. 8m in total in diameter. Five stones support the roof, a massive slab measuring 18x and weighing an estimated 12. 5tonne, which has slipped from its original position, with one end resting on the ground. The chamber itself consists of seven upright stones and was originally covered by a cairn. It had a small porch at its entrance for the purpose of entering the chamber and also had an antechamber with an even smaller entrance. 300m to the east is Sperris Quoit, although this is in a considerably less fine state than the Zennor Quoit. HistoryThe chamber dates to between 2500–1500 BC and is one of eight remaining quoits on the West Penwith moors. Archaeological evidence unearthed on the site has indicated that the chamber was used for the burial of bodies which at some point would be cremated and removed and replaced with others. The purpose of the exterior stones are believed to have been for resting the dead bodies against for the flesh to be devoured by birds before burial. Excavations at the site have revealed flint and Neolithic style pottery and cremated bones.