The use of quartz in Manx monuments is to be the subject of a talk this weekend.

Dr Patricia Tutt’s lecture, entitled ’Neolithic Street Lighting, Christian Symbolism or Sexual Metaphor?’, will update her illustrated lecture originally given in the University of Liverpool Continuing Education series in 2009, when she spoke on the widespread and exuberant use of quartz in the Manx-built environment and landscape from the Neolithic period to the present day.

She said: ’Quartz (Manx spar) - white, reflective and luminous in moonlight - is also decorative, mutable, and electrically-charged.

’It has been used since Neolithic times, and is still used extensively throughout the Isle of Man, primarily as a capping to walls and gateposts, but in other contexts also, as boundary markers and space defenders, way-finding guides, decorative pebble paving, garden features, and, of course, as spar dash, and chippings on graves.

’Perhaps most significantly, its use persists as a charm or talisman.

’These uses may have singular or multiple intents: decorative, functional or metaphorical. The earliest evidence suggests that this multi-functionality has an extremely long timeline.’

The lecture will take place in the Manx Museum lecture theatre at 2.30pm on Saturday, with tea and biscuits to follow after the lecture.

It is part of a series of lectures organised by the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society.

The winter lectures will continue on Saturday, February 16, when Dr Rachel Crellin of the University of Leicester, Dr Chris Fowler of Newcastle University and Dr Michelle Gamble of the Austrian Academy of Sciences will speak on the subject ’New Evidence from Old Bones: Results and interpretations from recent analyses of the Bronze Age and Neolithic human remains on the Isle of Man’.

Non-IOMNHAS members can attend lectures in return for a small donation.

IOMNHAS members are reminded that annual subscriptions are due on March 1, 2019, and individual reminders will be sent out.

For further information about these events and the IOMNHAS, plus details of how to join see www.manxantiquarians.com