What's in your back yard?

Basalt columns are a striking geological feature, caused by large lava flows slowly cooling; so wherever they're found - it's a sure sign of volcanic activity in the past.

Who isn't tempted by a big cave entrance - this one the outskirts of Rèkyavik is a collapsed lava tunnel!

"The Twelve Apostles" is the first stone circle I've visited in a long while. Also made sure to see some of the many cup-and-ring marked boulders while up on Ilkley Moor. 📷 my own and CC0

These were all carved at least 6000 years ago. Found in a settlement on the banks of the Danube at Lepenski Vir, Serbia.

Fancy staying somewhere extra exciting - well with permission from and thanks to www.facebook.com/UKHauntedHot... , the map now shows hundreds of haunted locations in the UK 👻

Over 10,000 ancient trees have been added to the UK on untamed.earth - thanks to the Woodland Trust's open data. Where the trees are clustered, we get a hint of ancient forests 🍃🌳🌲🍃

Based on a gratefully received suggestion from a friend - memento-mori locations are slowly being added the map. Skull and crossbones ☠️, hourglasses and coffins are all included.

Hard at work researching "rock-cut tombs"

The amphitheatre of Rome may be the largest, but there are plenty more - like the impressive Pula amphitheatre in Croatia. In fact, you may be much closer than you think to one of these theatres in the round - even in the centre of London! See whats near you - untamed.earth?l=44,17&z=5&... 🏺

Bit of an exciting day today - Started adding some content to the map that links through to our own folklore literature server. So now, if you want to read more about Tom Bourke and the Fairies (for example) the link on the map points right into the book where the story came from! 🎯 #folklore

Went out to visit a 3000+ year old cemetery. The particular barrow below was in a very serene setting of a woodland opening. Can't describe quite how peaceful it was there. 📷 my own & CC0 🏺

Had map success at the weekend! We went for a seaside walk and I opened the map to see if there was anything around - and lo, we were right by the cursed glacial erratic called simply "The Stone" - If moved, the village will have a poor fishing catch? Must have been there abouts since the ice age!

Here's a proof-of-concept animation for images that will compliment some #folklore writings! #animation #sideproject

Working on some art for a side project - Looks bad up close, but further away it should look better! #art #witchsky

The Field of Boliauns is a folkore tale with a classic ending - but it also mentions Beer made from heath (heather) - and it turns out that such a beer has been brewed in Scotland for 4000 years "Fraoch Heather Ale". Read the tale here: antiq.wiki?s3/l1023 #FolkyFriday

#FairyTaleTuesday - Humans may well wear animal masks, but in Eskimo folklore, Raven is a shapeshifter who moves his beak/mask to the top of his head to take human form! Here's a story where Raven meets a young lady living in the belly of a whale... antiq.wiki?Raven_makes_...

For English folklore, you can't beat...

The 'tail' of The Mermaid Wife from the Shetlands, tells how her seal-skin was hidden, trapping her on land for many years. It also notes that, to this day, her descendants have a thin webbing twixt their fingers and a flipper-like tilt of hand 👀 antiq.wiki?s1/l7410_The... #FolkloreThursday

A massive thank-you to sundialsoc.org.uk for allowing me to use their mass-dial / scratch-dial data on the map - there's well over 1500 churches and other buildings sporting one of these earliest timekeepers!

Sanctuary stones are really interesting. Most church buildings offered temporary sanctuary so wrongful accusations could be righted - but some special places, like Torphichen Preceptory extended refuge a mile or more into their surroundings - the boundary of which... you guessed it 🏺 #skystorians

What's that you ask? A 'Mass Dial' - like an early sundial that you may see near the South-facing entrance to old churches. Like witch-marks, they're a great thing to look out for if you're in the habit of looking round churches. I snapped this one thinking it was a witch-mark - now I know better!

With many thanks to yokai.com, #japan now has a fair covering of #folklore

The 'Sizewell C Hoard' is a bundled of over 300 silver coins, wrapped in a sheet of lead and hidden on the boundary between two fields... what a find! Read more here - oxfordcotswoldarchaeology.org.uk/news/the-siz... 🏺

If you’re looking for ghosts - an ancient battlefield is an obvious place to start. But be sure to dive into the history - the reason for the battle may be more haunting than it's spectres. #ghosts vs #history @ untamed.earth?battle

I've read of an ancient route: 'Seahenge' to Stonehenge - which seems to be traced out by ancient burial sites. But there also appears to be a route heading south-east from Stonehenge.... to where? (alternatively, the isle is simply packed with sites yet to be mapped and I'm mis-joining the dots😀)

Introduced ruined-churches to the map off the back of a mention that Norfolk, UK has more than its share. In the sample of data that I got.. yes,.. yes it does. Because there's so many, they're not displayed by default (like barrows) - so turn on in settings if they're of interest.

Having just done some research on sunken villages, it seemed fitting to visit Nether Hambleton which is now under Rutland Water. St. Matthew's church only (just) survived due to a public outcry.

Currently working on metaphysical/occult supply and bookshops. If you run a physical shop or have a favourite please drop a note about it! 🙏 untamed.earth?l=43.96119,-... #WitchSky

📌 I'm started a new map category - places / roads named for local history or folklore - a gruesome example being "cutthroat lane". 😱 However, the idea started with a lane near HQ called "Frog's Hall Lane" 🐸 ⁉️ Apparently "Frog's Hall" is slang for marshes... any UKers heard of that usage?

Information on #mermaid sightings (compared say - to 'lil-green-men) seems very hard to source. Drawing a line under untamed.earth/?merfolk for now - but please send any good sightings this way 🧜 🙏

Untamed.earth now has very basic filtering controls (bottom left) so you can filter things down and keep just what you want to see. #folklore #paranormal #ghosts #myth

When The Madonna appears as a ghost it's termed a "Marian Apparition." Each appearance is given a unique name - what a ledge! #diva

Hi All, I'm making a world map of all things esoteric, ghostly, witchy and woo at untamed.earth - feedback and suggestions welcome.