Reasons for Designation
Holed stones are both unusual and rare objects, thought to have originally formed part of the entrance passages to megalithic portal dolmens providing access to the burial chamber within a mound. The chamber itself would also originally have been stone built and such structures are thought to date to the Early and Middle Neolithic period (3500 - 2600 BC), although many were re-used in later periods. Only approximately 20 portal dolmens are known nationally and these are concentrated in west Penwith, Cornwall. As a result they are extremely rare and ancient. Several holed stones are known from Cornwall. 'The Tolvan' at Tolvan Cross is the largest and, despite not being in its original location, it is still a rare and remarkable survival which gave its name to a whole local estate indicating the esteem in which it was held. The recorded local tradition for healing also adds to its interest.
Details
The monument includes a holed stone known as The Tolvan Stone, situated on a ridge forming the watershed between the valleys of two tributaries to the Helford River. The holed stone survives as a slightly leaning earthfast triangular stone measuring approximately 2.3m high, 2.3m wide at the base and 0.3m thick. It is completely pierced by a circular hole of about 0.4m in diameter. When it was moved to its present location in a garden in 1847, it was 2.6m high and 2.7m wide but was cut to make some gateposts. Close to the original position of the stone, a 1.5m diameter stone-lined circular pit containing quartz stones and some pottery is said to have been found, along with a trough like stone called the 'Cradle' which has since been destroyed.
The Tolvan derived from 'Tol- vean' meaning holed stone gave its name to the whole estate of Tolvean and is mentioned in a survey of 1649 referred to as the 'Main-toll great stone'. A local tradition recorded in 1885 indicated that sick children were passed through the hole in the stone in the hopes of curing their ailments.
A nearby barrow is scheduled separately.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
CO 14
Legacy System:
RSM - OCN
End of official list entry
