Pictures of the spectacular Trilithon One
The other two central trilithons have had ‘works’ during the mid 20th century. But, not this one. This set of three heavy stones have not budged an inch. Somehow, I find this reassuring. That there is continuity. Though during that fix-it era, someone (unnecessarily IMHO) added some cement to the upward facing holes.
This is the shorter end or the rising inner horseshoe of trilithons. Mind it is only 6 inches shorter, nearest T2, and 10 inches further away. A total height of 6.15 and 6.05 meters (20′ 2″ and 19′ 10″). T3, if it were complete, would be 7.74 meters (25′ 5″).Following on from my naming convention of T2’s Fatty and Skinny T1, too, has a thinner and a bulkier, though the difference is much more slight. S52, Fatty, is wider.
| Fatty | diff | Skinny | |
| T1 | 27.7 | 4.2 | 23.5 |
| T2 | 29.3 | 11.2 | 18.1 |
| T4 | 27.9 | 3.8 | 24.1 |
Estimated weight, above ground in tons
The difference between the inner North faces and the outer South faces is much less pronounced that T2 and T4. There is more shrubby fructose lichen, like the sea ivory lichen on the inner, but not so much, colourful ink blot, crustose lichens, anywhere. There is some green algae, some brown staining very near to the very damp grass line. Outside, lower there is very, very little for the lichenometrist to write home about. Rather, there is much, but little for this artist to get excited about : -)
The lintel’s top is a bare mountain and green valley artist’s dream, however. It is an alien map of greens and white blues. The green valleys over the birds’ nest hole, atop S52, Fatty; the blue, smoother, over the more northerly S51, Skinny.
Over the ages, the crinkle top has gathered soil, allowing green mosses to bloom, along with the flat, bluer, crustose lichens makes it this artist’s favourite hunk of sarsen.
Distinguishing features
On the southern, narrow face of S52 is a modern graffiti “I WREN” which is thought to be Sir Christopher Wren, born 17 miles away. It’s out of view on these pictures.
The circular dent on the outer face of S52 draws most comments and despatches. I find it curious that the two outer faces are so flat, otherwise. To my eyes, it looks as though the dent is another percussive wound. Like a large part flaked off. Maybe in the builders’ time, after all, they were flaking large chunks off during the initial shaping, though this is bigger than the rest. Maybe Celts, Romans, Saxons, Vikings, Normans, or a Tudor knight gave it a headbutt and scored a knock-out. It is unlikely it was just the Victorians chipping away souvenirs. Others think the builders created it deliberately, that it is a dancer, or some form of ancient ogham or rune script.
An iron rod has been knocked into S52, near the centre gap on the inner face, just below the bedding crack, at about chest height. It’s a job of work. For what, for why?
Upright Skinny
The outer face of S51 has, in its lower, left a hole, pointing upwards, that is filled with concrete. Probably in the 1950s, when there was a lot of such about. It is the only repair T1 has endured. It’s a big hole, that would have caught a lot of acid rain and would only have got deeper. Likewise, there are several upwards pointing, rain catching holes on the inner faces of both stones. Too high for intrepid 1950s repairmen.
Lintel
Harsh forces of nature
However, the wind, rain, ice. Lichens, mosses and crows have had an effect. The elements have surely turned the once sharp edged corners of the lintel S152 into a cornish pasty. There must have been some inconsistency of mineral composition to weaken it into crinkle, fort-like crenellations. That’s the thing about sarsen. It’s so fascinating, and rather flawed. And that bedding plane, a halfway gap on the outer lintel face. Like two parts of a jam sponge cake.
They didn’t start it. But, they’re going to finish it. The hole on the inner face of the lintel, above S52, all the way in to the tenon on the upright. It surely started small, just like the hole in my sock. Think, 4,500 years of pecking, fidgeting feathered friends. Not just nesting season, but throughout the wind battered year. This is a good spot to nest and rest. Now think, 4,500 into the future. Nay, 7,500 years into the future.
♫In the year 9595♫
𝅘𝅥𝅘𝅥𝅮I’m kinda wondering if man is gonna be alive… ♪♪
The hole will be much bigger, though we may be in a desert or a glacier, depending on the Gulf Stream.
