Altarnun (Nine Stones)

Stone Circle - Cornwall

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Altarnun, also known as Nine Stones, stands on Bodmin Moor 3km SSE of the village of the same name. A ring of 8 stones with a ninth just south of the centre, this circle was reconstructed in the nineteeth century. Another reconstruction may be necessary soon, as one stone has fallen at the NE and several others, including the centre stone, are canted at precarious angles.
The stones are of local granite, and stand on very boggy ground. The passage of livestock has converted the areas around many of the stones into a morass, in wet weather, we found it easy to sink up to our knees in some parts!
Although Altarnun's setting appears remote today, the many hut circles, cairns and tumuli within a short distance of the ring show that this area must have been fairly bustling in prehistoric times.