Dear Grumpy et al I've never been convinced of the population statistics for Orkney or any where else in Britain. They always seem to have been decided by people who lack personal experience of physical labour. The basis always seems to be a mathematical formula 'x' number of people moving 'y' weight of stone over 'z' distance. Usually without any allowance for what are now known as 'comfort breaks' The question should be why would 'x' people take up time which could be better spent, moving 'y' to 'z'. On that other subject of the library. In the nineteenth and twentieth century many people left Orkney. (We do have real statistics for this) Many of their descendants return to research their family history and the old library just could not cope with the volume of people in the archive. Nor could it store and preserve the records. The new library should allow the records of Orkney, which I believe are important, to be preserved. This has to be of benefit to Orkney, in that the records are properly preserved and that it encourages people to visit and research their family history. In the long term (although I admit it will be difficult to quantify) I believe that the new library will benefit Orkney financially. Best Wishes to All Moi McCarty In message <3FC552C2.000001.85721@computer01>, Grumpy <grumpy_in_orkney@btinternet.com> writes >Lots of interesting theories regarding how the stones were moved. But what >ever method was used then it must be presumed that timber from a local >source would have been used. If the stones were transported by water they >would have had to be placed on a substantial raft to take the weight of >stones and rollers would still have been needed to move them to their final >resting place. > >Regarding the stones laying beside the loch and the ones that are said to >lay beneath the loch, could it be possible that at one time an other stone >circle could have existed where the loch is now, and that with the passing >of time the area became flooded and eroded and the stone circle then fell >down. > >If they took the time to prepare the Brodgar site and measure it so >accurately then I am sure they would not have wasted a lot of effort in >transporting stones they did not intend to use. > >The text mentions that scholar Aubrey Burl estimates that a work force of >around 300 would have been available for construction work, which is based >on an estimated population. I belive many early settlements still remain >undiscovered, some may even lay beneath the lochs if the area did in fact >flood at a later date. > >Estimates always make me uneasy, as they are usually based on some form of >statistics, which reminds me of a famous statesman words "there are lies, >damn lies and statistics! Another point to note on estimates is - the >original estimate for the new Kirkwall Pier was quite a few million pounds >below they final finished cost! > >Everyone will have heard about the stone statues on the Easter Islands, I >remember a programme where the theory was that at one time the Island was >heavily wooded but the natives cut down a lot of the trees for dwellings and >moving the stones on rollers! > >Is the lack of trees on Orkney down to a larger population at the time of >Brodgar, than previously though, who used the timber for construction, >firewood etc. > >It is not uncommon for archeologist/scholars to revaluate their theories >when new discoveries are made. > >Take care > >Grumpy. > > >==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== >To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the word >'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com > > -- M.E.McCarty M.E.McCarty,Bookseller 13 North Main Street 54 Junction Road Wigtown Kirkwall Scotland Orkney DG8 9HL KW15 1AG

Hello Moi, I think the reason why 'x' people took up the time to move 'y' to 'z', was that it seemed like a good idea at the time. If archeologist could only discover the ancient site of the 'Ye Olde Library' they could then look up the stone tablets of 'Ye Olde Statistics' and all would be revealed. Preserving local history is of utmost importance, and the New Library is unquestionably a worthwhile project. But the funding of the project and future running costs is a matter of concern. I am reminded of Scotland's greatest philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who was responsible for many of Scotland's libraries etc. I wonder if there is such a thing as an Orkney farmer philanthropist? It seems that many project are funded by Lottery Grants, but lets not forget who supplies the money for the Lottery, - yes the man in the street who dreams of becoming an overnight millionaire. I wonder if mega rich business men do the Lottery? No doubt if the New Library needs extra cash for running costs, the money will be found from the same source as funding for the Tourist Board, Pick Centre, Orkney Ferries etc.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take care Grumpy -------Original Message------- From: ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com Date: 27 November 2003 04:25:57 To: ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [] Re: [] "Rediscovered" Stenness monoliths Dear Grumpy et al I've never been convinced of the population statistics for Orkney or any where else in Britain. They always seem to have been decided by people who lack personal experience of physical labour. The basis always seems to be a mathematical formula 'x' number of people moving 'y' weight of stone over 'z' distance. Usually without any allowance for what are now known as 'comfort breaks' The question should be why would 'x' people take up time which could be better spent, moving 'y' to 'z'. On that other subject of the library. In the nineteenth and twentieth century many people left Orkney. (We do have real statistics for this) Many of their descendants return to research their family history and the old library just could not cope with the volume of people in the archive. Nor could it store and preserve the records. The new library should allow the records of Orkney, which I believe are important, to be preserved. This has to be of benefit to Orkney, in that the records are properly preserved and that it encourages people to visit and research their family history. In the long term (although I admit it will be difficult to quantify) I believe that the new library will benefit Orkney financially. Best Wishes to All Moi McCarty > > >>To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the word >'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com > > -- M.E.McCarty M.E.McCarty,Bookseller 13 North Main Street 54 Junction Road Wigtown Kirkwall Scotland Orkney DG8 9HL KW15 1AG To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the word 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com

Hey, why not just dial up 1-800- OILGUYS for their cheque? On Thursday, November 27, 2003, at 07:10 AM, Grumpy wrote: > > Hello Moi, > > I think the reason why 'x' people took up the time to move 'y' to 'z', > was > that it seemed like a good idea at the time. If archeologist could only > discover the ancient site of the 'Ye Olde Library' they could then > look up > the stone tablets of 'Ye Olde Statistics' and all would be revealed. > > Preserving local history is of utmost importance, and the New Library > is > unquestionably a worthwhile project. But the funding of the project and > future running costs is a matter of concern. I am reminded of > Scotland's > greatest philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who was responsible for many of > Scotland's libraries etc. I wonder if there is such a thing as an > Orkney > farmer philanthropist? > > It seems that many project are funded by Lottery Grants, but lets not > forget > who supplies the money for the Lottery, - yes the man in the street who > dreams of becoming an overnight millionaire. I wonder if mega rich > business > men do the Lottery? > > No doubt if the New Library needs extra cash for running costs, the > money > will be found from the same source as funding for the Tourist Board, > Pick > Centre, Orkney Ferries etc.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > > Take care > > Grumpy > > > > -------Original Message------- > > From: ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com > Date: 27 November 2003 04:25:57 > To: ORCADIA-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [] Re: [] "Rediscovered" Stenness monoliths > > Dear Grumpy et al > > I've never been convinced of the population statistics for Orkney or > any > where else in Britain. They always seem to have been decided by people > who lack personal experience of physical labour. The basis always seems > to be a mathematical formula 'x' number of people moving 'y' weight of > stone over 'z' distance. Usually without any allowance for what are now > known as 'comfort breaks' The question should be why would 'x' people > take up time which could be better spent, moving 'y' to 'z'. > On that other subject of the library. In the nineteenth and twentieth > century many people left Orkney. (We do have real statistics for this) > Many of their descendants return to research their family history and > the old library just could not cope with the volume of people in the > archive. Nor could it store and preserve the records. The new library > should allow the records of Orkney, which I believe are important, to > be > preserved. This has to be of benefit to Orkney, in that the records are > properly preserved and that it encourages people to visit and research > their family history. In the long term (although I admit it will be > difficult to quantify) I believe that the new library will benefit > Orkney financially. > > Best Wishes to All > > Moi McCarty > > >> >> >>> To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with >>> the word >> 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com >> >> > > -- > M.E.McCarty M.E.McCarty,Bookseller > 13 North Main Street 54 Junction Road > Wigtown Kirkwall > Scotland Orkney > DG8 9HL KW15 1AG > > > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the > word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com > > > > ==== ORCADIA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the Orcadia mailing list, send an e-mail with the > word > 'unsubscribe' in the message body to orcadia-l-request@rootsweb.com >