Geograph - photograph every grid square

This photo shows the great variety of serpentine rocks used in the building of what was the home of the manager of the Lizard Serpentine Company's stone works at Carleon Cove, Poltesco. SW7215 : Owner's House for Serpentine Quarries and Factory

The many of the rocks in the Lizard area are special, but not unique. They have come from the mantle deep below the earth's surface. Some 350 million years ago a mass of molten rock burst up from within the earth's mantle and picked up all sorts of different rock types on its passage to the surface of the earth. Then later, due to movement of the tectonic plates, this same rock was subjected to even more heat and pressure resulting in a rock we see today which varies in colour, texture and patterning. This rock, called 'serpentine' can now be seen in outcrops all around the Lizard. Some of the rock is suitable for turning on a lathe or for being sculptured into delicate ornaments the best know being a lighthouse shaped ornament. Such ornaments sold mostly as tourist souvenirs are made locally by a handful of craftsmen. There are only few craftsmen left from what years ago was a flourishing serpentine industry of the Victorian period.

The stone not suitable for decorative work was used in ordinary buildings as shown in this photo. SW7216 : Lighthouse ornament created from serpentine rock SW7215 : Water-wheel pit (remains)