Symbols On Sheffield Moorland Stone (Runic?)

[Guest harestone]

Hi everyone, i'm looking for help interpreting a symbol (maybe runic?) carved into a stone on one of Sheffields moors.

This is the symbol - http://i50.tinypic.com/dd00oh.jpg

The closest match i can find is this one representing the word "estate" in runic -

http://i46.tinypic.com/25tyyab.jpg

I'd be most grateful of any help offered in interpreting the above.

Thanks in advance.

I've also posted this on Sheffield forum, here - http://www.sheffield...d.php?t=1096489

[Unitedite Returns]

Hi,

A very interesting find.

I have never seen one before and have absolutely no idea as to what this stone might represent.

It would be interesting to know as to precisely where the stone is situated and as to whether it sits astride any known parish, or regional boundaries.

It probably marks the border between two adjoining estates, as your own research suggests, but it would be nice to place it into it's right and proper context never the less.

[Guest harestone]

Thanks for the reply Unitedite.

The stone(s*) are quite close to the cairn on Brown Edge, though are heather covered nowadays and pretty difficult to find unless you know the location. A ranger showed then to me a couple of years back but asked me not to give the grid ref out.

*There's another stone that lays very close by, these are the two best pics i have.

I really need to get back up there at some point, though i'll probably leave it till the summer now.

[Unitedite Returns]

Thanks for the reply Unitedite.

The stone(s*) are quite close to the cairn on Brown Edge, though are heather covered nowadays and pretty difficult to find unless you know the location. A ranger showed then to me a couple of years back but asked me not to give the grid ref out.

*There's another stone that lays very close by, these are the two best pics i have.

I really need to get back up there at some point, though i'll probably leave it till the summer now.

The inverted T at the bottom could suggest some form of early survey triangulation point, but that is only me guessing.

[Guest Terezin]

Bit of a long shot with this link, yet you never know.

http://www.apotropaios.co.uk/ritual_marks.htm

[Bayleaf]

Bit of a long shot with this link, yet you never know.

http://www.apotropai...itual_marks.htm

I must admit my first thought was of stonemasons' marks. These are examples from York Minster.

[Bayleaf]

The second mark appears in the Anglo saxon runes to represent 'estate', but in the earlier Elder Futhark runes the same symbol represents 'inherited land'. The first mark doesn't resemble any from either set though.