NOTES ON THE STONE MONUMENTS IN THE ISLE OF MAN.
At Autun, in France, is the well-known mass of masonry, now robbed indeed of its ashlar, but which is simply a solid stone tumulus (if such a phrase is admissible). These considerations point to the extreme antiquity of such monuments, usually ascribed to Celtic races, but which may, and probably have been erected by some anterior people. Of the existing remains, however, in the island, which are connected with sepulture, the large stone circles, more or less perfect, may be placed among the earliest; although, in some cases, it seems impossible to distinguish those which were erected in later times by the Scandinavians. Remains of huts beneath rock, shelters of the Paleolithic period, belonging to what the French call the Reindeer Period (of East Frisia), have been found in Perigord in France, but it is doubtful if any rude wood-cutting tools, as such, of this period have been discovered.
A plain connecting the Isle of Man and Ireland has become the Irish Sea, and has again partially re-emerged at this point, we are justified in doubting if vestiges of any primitive but would have lasted against the influences at work during such vast changes. This may have extended for a considerable distance seawards in Neolithic times, and may have been since then entirely washed away by the sea, excepting these patches which have been protected by lying in the hollow of the boulder clay.
The earth and rubble foundations of numerous camps and small forts are met with around the coast, on craggy rocks in glens, and on hillsides, some of which date from this early period, though no doubt they inay have been occupied also much more recently. For example, a small peninsular earthwork at Gob-y-Garvane on the rocky Maughold coast; one on the broogh at Cass-ny-hawin, Santon; Hango Broogh, on a rocky projection between St. Michael's isle and Langness, Malew; and the two Boirranes near Dalby, are instances of coast defences which may have originated in Neolithic times of copper. The earthwork within Peel Castle also, about which have been found many worked flints and a small stone axe, is likely to have been in use from the earliest times, but, neither in this nor the others is there any real indication of date, beyond the small size, the simple plan, and the presence in their immediate neighbourhood of worked flints. Inland, a good example may be seen on an isolated rock at Cashtal Ward, Tromode, and at Ballanicholas, Marown. On hill sides are remains at Ballakilpheric, Rushen, and one on the summit of the curious isolated hill at the entrance to Sulby Glen known as Knock-Sumark.
An important group of circles, known as the Mount Murray Circles, may be of a later period than those formed of quartz blocks. These circles are so imbedded in the heath that they are somewhat difficult to trace, although they are unusually perfect. If the ground could be cleared, it is not unlikely that traces of the once existing chambers might be made out. An upright stone in one of them has certain marks, which at first sight might be taken for artificial, but which do not appear to be so. This grouping of circles, almost, if not quite, in contact with each other, is not unusual, and seems to indicate an early character. In many instances, such groups have been included in one large circle, which sometimes remains when the enclosed circles and graves have vanished. Hence may be explained the mystery of circles like that near Penrith, known as Long Meg and her daughters, which is evidently too large to have been intended to surround a single grave.
The circles in Arragon also attracted attention, from the fact that one of them had an inner circle of stones placed, not close to the base of the tumulus, but some little distance up its sides. This peculiarity was not observed in a circle in the next enclosure. This position of the stones indicates the Scandinavian character of the tumulus.
Another tolerably perfect circle, composed of quartz blocks, was pointed out by the Bishop of Sodor and Man. It is situated not far from Bishop's Court, on high ground commanding a fine sea view. It is probably one of the earlier class. The tumulus, which once existed, appears to have been formed of fine soil, if that which still covers one of the stones, as it seems to be, is a last remnant. If so, the soil must have been too valuable to the farmer to have escaped removal. In a small island like that of Man, no part of it can be called distant from the sea; but the majority of this class of antiquities seem to show that, when possible, the builders of them selected sites commanding a sea view. In no instance is this tendency more strongly exhibited than in Brittany, where, almost without exception, the great monuments are on the coast. The same may be said of Wales in a less degree. They are found more inland; but the earliest vestiges of man are to be found along the coast.