Cullomane East: Anomalous Stone Group CO118-074002

Cullomane Anomalous Stone Group is between Bantry and Drimoleague, 2km or so west of Dromore. Just to the north-east of a ringfort, all that remains are one upright with two fallen orthostats partly buried in a scatter of field stones.

Because of its ruinous state the original intention is less than obvious. However, it can be said that the size, shape and orientation of the upright are consistent with it being the north portal of a five-stone circle. The size and shape of the other two stones support this interpretation.

South is on the eastern slope of a dip [Pic].

North is at the end of a ridge and at the western edge of a dip [Pic].

The axis of the circle would have indicated Glanatnaw hill which has the summer solstice at its most northerly top and the solstice / cross quarter mid­point at its most southerly top, the cross quarter itself being at a hump on the ridge to the south. The minor end of the lunistice range is at the hill's southern base and the lunar mid­point is in the middle of the hill at a minor summit. A prominent step at the south base of Dromore Hill marks the major end of the lunistice range.

The eastern horizon is distant and provides many good markers. Though the south-east is the weakest sector, it is still quite usable.

The long eastern slope of Coom­na­goragh mountain measures out the lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. range, from the east side of the dip at its base to a prominent notch towards its top. On 13th June 2014 the full moon nearest the summer solstice rose at its prehistoric minor standstillLunistice positions vary cyclically over an 18.6 year period but are fairly static for more than a year at either end of the range position and some good photographs were obtained, enabling the creation of this animated gif.

To the south-west, the major end of the lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. range occurs on the top of Derryvahalla mountain, with a sixteenth and the lunar minor eighth on the next two hilltops westwards.

Notice also how well the two hills have been fitted to the solar cycle.

The main dip of the western horizon is obscured but some of the Sheep's Head (Muintirvara) Peninsula is still visible.

North-westwards, Spratt hill marks the summer cross-quarter and the half-month north of it is on the next hilltop. The lunisticeLunistices are the most northerly and southerly moons of the month. The lunar equivalent of solstices - more. range runs from the previous dip to the north base of the second top, with the top itself and its south base providing other useful markers.

This is one of a local group of monuments that utilise these same horizons in slightly different ways from positions about 200m apart. The nearest are:

• Standing Stone / Pair CO118-076 220m to the east.
• Five Stone Circle CO118-073001 210m to north-west.

A further variant usage of Glanatnaw Hill in the north-east may be seen from Inchybegga, which is 1.3km closer to it.

A Stone Axe was found, not far from here, in 2005, See Details

Technical Notes | Top

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References

• Archaeological Survey of Ireland, record details. www.archaeology.ie/archaeological-survey-ireland
• POWER, D. et al. 1992 Archaeological Inventory of County Cork, Volume 1: West Cork. Dublin: Stationary Office. p111, no.905.