Fifth Stone

Weight
118kg / 260lbs

Location
View on Google Maps

View on what3words - throwaway.sobbed.disposal

Original Challenge

Stone to Chest

Name Origin
The Fifth Stone is named in celebration of the Great Stone of Fourstones and three other giant stones that sat next to the large erratic, creating an ancient and natural stone circle between Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria.

Stone Submission
Discovered in situ by @dances_with_stones next to The Great Stone of Fourstones.

History

The Fifth Stone pays homage to the Great Stone of Fourstones, a vast Ice Age erratic, perched on the Lancashire–North Yorkshire border. In the Neolithic and Bronze Age (c. 4000–800 BC) it likely served as a meeting point or territorial marker.

By the Iron Age (c. 800 BC–AD 70) it stood within Brigantian territory and may have been used for gatherings or exchanges. Folklore later claimed the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill hurled it from the Giant’s Causeway, leaving his finger marks on the stone.

Between AD 800–1100, Norse settlers reshaped the region, and antiquarians believed the stone functioned as a moot or meeting stone. Its cup-marks likely date to the Neolithic or Bronze Age, hinting at early ritual significance.

Access and Permissions

This stone is located on open-access land. Public access rights apply subject to any restrictions or exclusions applicable to the site. These rights do not automatically grant permission to move, alter or place stones. Users should ensure that any lifting is compatible with the applicable access rights and restrictions and leave the stone and surrounding area as they found them.

Please read our Stonelifting Policy  before attempting to lift this stone. The policy sets out the requirements regarding access, permissions, safety, conservation and responsible liftin