Inscription on the southern face of the tomb
exterior.
This is actually modern graffiti rather than true rock art, but it has quite a story to it,
so we thought we would include it.
The carving reads "YESNVOM SVMLEILVC A.D.1850", underneath is a line
of
Persian calligraphy and just above the "VM" a star of David is carved.
The carving was done by Major William Mouncey
and is a Latinised version of his name spelled backwards. The Persian section
translates roughly as "I have
sat two nights and so learnt patience".
Mouncey was born in Carlisle and was a British spy, who had worked in Persia and
Afghanistan. On his return to the UK
he "did a Lord Byron" and adopted Persian garb, he became known locally as
"The Jew of Carlisle". Mounsey
frightened the Hoy locals during his visit there
with his Persian slippers and long
flowing oriental robes.
After leaving Hoy, Mouncey travelled around Britain carving his name into the
remains at ancient sites as hw went. He was particularly prolific in his local
Cumbria and many
ancient remains there bear his name, usually with a bit of Latin or Persian
whimsy added.